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RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY JOS. ROBINSON, 
BALTIMORE. 



CHRISTIAN OFFICES, for the use of Families and Indivi- 
duals, compiled from the LITURGY of the PROTES- 
TANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, and from the Devo- 
tional Writings of various Authors ; together with Selec- 
tions and Passages of Scripture and a Calendar pointing 
out a suitable portion of Scripture, for the Family Wor- 
ship in every Day of the Year. Second Edition, revised 
and materially improved. By WILLIAM EDWARD 
WYATT, D. D., Rector of St. Paul's Parish, Raltimore. 

A PRACTICAL VIEW of the PREVAILING RELIGIOUS 
SYSTEM of PROFESSED CHRISTIANS, in the 
higher and middle classes in this country, contrasted with 
real Christianity. By WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, 
Esq. — with an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. Daniel 
Wilson, A.M. Vicar of Islington, (now Bishop of Calcutta.) 

The MONUMENT: a small selection from the SERMONS 
of the late Right Rev. JAMES KEMP, D. D., Rector of 
St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore, and Bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church of Maryland, &c. 



HENSHAW'S 
SHERIDAN. 



LESSONS ON ELOCUTION; 



ACCOMPANIED BY 



INSTRUCTIONS AND CRITICISMS 



ON THE BEADING OF 



THE CHURCH SERVICE: 



SELECTED FROM THE WORKS OF 



THOMAS SHERIDAN, Esa. 



WITH ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, 
By J. P. K. HENSHAW, D. D. 

Rector of St. Peter's Church, Baltimore. 



BALTIMORE*. 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOS. ROBINSON, 

No. 2, N. Calverl-street. 



. * v v. N x ^ "■ 



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[Entered according" to the act of Congress, in the year eighteen 
hundred and thirty-four, by J. P. K. Hestshaw, D. D., in the 
Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, for the Dis- 



trict of Maryland.] 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Introductory Essay, • • 5 



PART FIRST. 
LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

! 

I Chapter I. — Imperfect state of English Elocution and its 

causes, 21 

" II.— Articulation, ....30 

" III.— Accent, 37 

IV.— Emphasis, 53 

" V. — Pitch and management of the voice, 66 

« VI.— Tones, 76 

" VII— Gesture, 95 

PART SECOND. 
INSTRUCTIONS AND CRITICISMS 

ON THE 

READING OF THE CHURCH SERVICE. 

Sheridan's address to the Clergy, 109 

Introductory Remarks, Ill 

Chapter I.— The order for Daily Morning and Evening 

Prayer, 115 

" IL— The Litany, 157 

" III. — Prayers and Thanksgivings upon several 

. occasions, <■ 1 69 

" IV — The order for the administration of the 

Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, 173 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 



It is deeply to be regretted that, notwithstanding 
the many valuable works published in ancient and 
modern times on elocution and the art of reading, this 
branch of education is so generally neglected in our 
seminaries of learning. Among the ancients, the art 
of public speaking was cultivated with the utmost de- 
gree of assiduity and skill; men of commanding ta- 
lents and influence were the masters of it: and by 
attending upon the instructions of the academy, and 
the exercises of the forum, the youth of Greece and 
Rome were trained up to use with wonderful effect, 
their powers of reasoning, in the debates of the Senate, 
and those of persuasion, in addresses to popular as- 
semblies. 

The orations of Cicero and Demosthenes, are con- 
sidered even at this remote period, master-pieces and 
models ; and we cannot read without astonishment of 
the effect produced by the ancient orators, upon the 
minds of their countrymen. Are we to suppose that 
the public speakers of those days were endowed with 
powers of intellect, or organs of utterance, which are 
denied to those of the present period ? or, that the 
men of this generation are less susceptible of the in- 
fluence exerted by the beauties of style, or the pow- 
ers of speech ? There can be no ground, I apprehend, 
2 



vi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

for the adoption of such an opinion, and the difference 
alluded to, may be accounted for, by the comparative- 
ly small degree of attention, which is paid to elocution 
in the prevailing system of modern education. 

In most of our primary schools, owing to the want 
■ of proper elementary books, and the incompetency of ' 
the teachers to supply the deficiency by oral instruc- 
tions, children acquire false habits of intonation and 
emphasis, which, like other bad habits of childhood, f. 
are seldom corrected by the reflection and mature 
judgment of riper years. 

The art of speaking and reading well, holds a very 
subordinate rank in the course of studies pursued in 
colleges and universities, where our young men des- 
tined for professional life receive their preparatory 
training. The greater part of their time is employed 
in reading the classics in their original languages, with l ' 
which they are so imperfectly acquainted, that the 
employment is a task, rather than a pleasure, — and in 
acquiring a knowledge of the exact sciences; but, 
with the exception of an occasional exercise in compo- 
sition and declamation, no effort is made to qualify 
them for the active, practical duties of the professions, 
which many of them are intended to fill. 

The question asked by the Bishop of Cloyne, in 
relation to Great Britain, " whether half the learning 
of the kingdom, was not lost for want of having a 
proper delivery taught in our schools and colleges," 
is no less applicable to the state of things in this 
country. 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. Vli 

We need not, therefore, be surprised at the remark 
| so often made by intelligent observers, of the small 
j proportion of the Clergy who are either persuasive 
speakers, or accomplished readers. For, by a strange 
i fatuity, the same neglect of Elocution, which is found 
in colleges, also pervades most of our Theological 
I seminaries. And how can it be expected that men 
s should be proficients in an art which they have never 
i studied ? 

Here and there, one of the sacred order, in spite of 
I the disadvantages of education, discharges his im- 
portant functions, as to the manner of delivering the 
gospel message and conducting the devotions of the 
Sanctuary, — with a high degree of eloquence ; — but he 
is considered a kind of prodigy, who has risen to 
eminence by the force of native genius, or of the most 
industrious application. These seem to be the only 
means by which the deficiencies of education above 
referred to, can be remedied. And surely, every 
minister of the Gospel, who considers the vast impor- 
tance of impressive delivery and appropriate action 
in securing attention to his discourses and efficiency 
to his pulpit labours, will consider the study of Elo- 
cution as having a fair claim upon a portion of his time 
and energies. 

The reading of the Scriptures and forms of prayer 
and praise, constitutes a part of the public duties of 
the ministry, not less important than the delivery of 
sermons; and eminently good readers are not more 
common than pulpit orators of a high grade. The de- 
ficiencies in this respect which so commonly prevail, 



viii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

•re attributable to negligence of certain plain and fun- i 
(lament al rules. For even, tbough it should be admit- |i 
ted, that nature forms the orator, it cannot be denied II 
that the hand of art has a principal agency in the $ 
making of a good reader. 

Some valuable lessons on accent, emphasis, intona- 
tion, the pitch and management of the voice Sfc, will 
be found in the selections contained in the following 
pages from Sheridan's Art of Reading, and his Lee- I 
tures on Elocution. Whatever may be thought of the j 
correctness of his views on the accent of the English I 
language, as distinguished from that of the Greek I 
and Latin, which have been controverted by Walker 
and others; — we shall find in these lessons, the re- f 
suit of much patient thought and study, by one to 
whom our mother tongue is deeply indebted, as the 
father of English Elocution, who first attempted to 
introduce a fixed system of pronunciation, and to es- 
tablish the great principles by which propriety and 
elegance in public reading and speaking, might be at- 
tained. His errors may be corrected by reference to 
the works of those who, with the advantage of his } 
light, have followed him in the same field of investiga- 
tion. The fundamental rules of the art, however, 
will be found clearly stated and happily illustrated in p 
the following extracts from his works. 

The most important rule, perhaps, is that laid down 
centuries ago by Quinctilian, and which is worthy of 
attention in all languages and all climes. " Let every 
syllable, of every word, especially the last, be proper- 
ly, distinctly and clearly pronounced." * Distinctness 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. i x 

| of articulation, correct emphasis, and a deep-felt in- 
! terest in the sentiments delivered, can hardly fail, 
i where there is not some great defect in the organs of 
speech, of making a good reader. And therefore the 
i commonness of the deficiency in this respect among 
the ministers of religion, is the less excusable. 

It may be remarked as one of the very strange things 
l in the strange history of human affairs, that the art of 
Elocution should be most assiduously cultivated by a 
profession, the only end of whose exhibitions is to 
afford temporary gratification or idle amusement to 
the public ; — while it is sadly neglected by one, whose 
duties stand connected with eternity, and which has 
for its high aim, the salvation of souls and the glory 
of God. 

It is said that Garrick on being asked by a divine, 
why a greater effect was produced by tragedians in 
representing fictitious characters on the stage, than by 
ministers in delivering the most awful truths of reli- 
gion from the pulpit ; gave the following pithy reply : 
— " We utter fiction, as if it were truth: You utter 
truth, as if it were fiction" 

The Liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
has not only received the commendations of the pious 
of every name, for the chastened fervour, the sublime 
dignity, and evangelical purity of its devotional offi- 
ces, — but has also been very generally applauded by 
men of taste, for the simplicity of language, and beauty 
of style in which those offices are clothed. When 
properly performed, our daily service, will almost cer- 
tainly impart to the souls of true worshippers, the most 
2 # 



X INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

profound sentiments of contrition— enkindle within 
them the ardent flame of love— and bring them, as it 
were, into the very presence-chamber of the great ) 
object of their adoration. 

But alas ! how often does it utterly fail of producing 
any hallowed effect, and even excite sentiments of f 
distaste and aversion, from its being performed in a I 
careless, heartless and inappropriate manner ! How 
important is it for the interests of religion and the j 
honour of the church, that the clergy should seek to \ 
give additional interest and efficiency to this portion 
of their labours ? To aid them in this laudable effort, \ 
is the object of the little work now re-published, in 
which the application of the rules of good reading is 
exhibited, not only to the ear, but to the eye, by one 
of the most accomplished masters of the art. 

The frequent reading of the daily services of the 
church accompanied with Sheridan's marks of empha- \ 
ses and pauses, will do more, by the blessing of God, , 
towards correcting the deficiencies and errors of the ij 
clergy and qualifying them for an appropriate and , 
edifying discharge of this part of their holy functions, 
than the most careful and long continued study of the \ 



rules of rhetoricians, without such an application or ex- 
emplification of them, would ever be able to accomplish. \ 
Let it not be inferred, however, from what has \. 
been said, that the most undeviating adherence to the 
laws of correct and rhetorical reading, will of itself 
alone, render the performance of the Liturgy impres 
sive and profitable. No ! we have heard it read ac 
cording to those rules, when the only emotion excited, 



:; 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. x i 

was one of admiration of the voice and skill of the 
performer. — It was considered merely as an exercise 
of art, not of devotion. 

After all, the great art in reading devotional ser- 
vices, is, to avoid the appearance of art. It is to have 
the soul so thoroughly absorbed by the holy sentiments 
that are uttered, as to allow no room for a thought 
about the manner of utterance. The clergyman in 
the desk and at the altar, should, as far as possible, 
forget every thing but this — " I am in the more imme- 
diate presence of the heart-searching God, leading a 
company of penitent sinners in supplication for mercy 
at the throne of grace, — or, expressing the thanks of 
the same sinners, for all the mercies they have receiv- 
ed, and especially for the transcendant mercies of re- 
demption, by Jesus Christ." 

Such a conviction, vividly impressed upon the mind, 
will constrain a man to pray the Liturgy, and not 
merely to read it. And a heart " touched as with a 
live coal from off the altar," and thoroughly imbued 
with the sentiments that pervade the Prayer Book, 
will be the best prompter as to the mode of uttering 
them. It will naturally suggest, that earnestness of 
manner, variety of intonation, and propriety of empha- 
sis, which the nature of the various parts of the service 
requires, and which will give to each of them their 
highest effect. 

It is the object of all the elaborate treatises on Elo- 
cution to enforce the natural mode of speaking and 
reading aloud; — and their authors profess nothing 
more than to have embodied the dictates of nature in their 



x ii INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

artificial rules. But it may admit of a question whe- 
ther this be not, to say the least, a very circuitous and , 
unpromising mode of attaining the end ; and whether 
any real benefit is derived from a study of those works, 
further than as they tend to impress this general prin- 
ciple more strongly upon the mind, and afford judi- 
cious exemplifications of it ? 

The remarks of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Whately, the pre- 
sent Archbishop of Dublin, on this point, are so ex- [ 
cellent, that I cannot deny myself the pleasure of 
laying them before the reader. " If a person could 
learn to read and speak as it were, by note, with the 
same fluency and accuracy as are attainable in the 
case of singing, still, the desired object of a perfectly 
natural, as well as correct Elocution, would never be 
in this way attained. The reader's attention being 
fixed on his own voice, (which in singing, and there 
only, is allowed and expected,) the inevitable conse- 
quence would be, that he would betray more or less 
his studied and artificial delivery ; and would in the 
same degree, manifest an offensive affectation. It 
should be observed, however, (he remarks in a note,) 
that, in the reading of the Liturgy especially, so many 
gross faults are become quite familiar to many, from 
what they are accustomed to hear, if not from their 
own practice, as to render it peculiarly difficult to 
unlearn, or even detect them ; and as an aid towards 
the exposure of such faults, there may be great advan- 
tage in studying Sheridan's observations and directions 
respecting the delivery of it : The generality of his 
remarks respecting the way in which each passage of 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. x iJi 

the Liturgy should be read, are correct; though the 
'mode recommended for the attainment of the proposed 
end, is totally different from what is suggested in the 
i present treatise."* 

" The practical rule, then, to be adopted in con- 
Iformity with the principles here maintained, is, not 
| only to pay no studied attention to the voice, but studi- 
jously to withdraw the thoughts from it, and to dwell as 
! intently as possible on the sense; trusting to nature 
!to suggest spontaneously the proper emphases and 
j tones. He who not only understands fully what he is 
; reading, but is earnestly occupying his mind with the 
matter of it, will be likely to read as if he understood 
it, and thus to make others understand it ;f and in like 
manner, with a view to the impressiveness of the de- 
livery, he who not only feels it, but is exclusively 
! absorbed by that feeling, will be likely to read as if 
; he felt it, and to communicate the impression to his 



* Whately has here, I think., done injustice to Sheridan — 
whose general principles on the subject are precisely like his 
own. — The examples he gives, are designed, merely, as an 
illustration of those principles, and an auxiliary in the applica- 
tion of them ; he marks only the pauses and emphases which 
would naturally be made by a reader, who entered into the 
spirit of the sentiments delivered. 

t Who, for instance, that was really thinking of a resurrec- 
tion from the dead, would ever tell any one that our Lord 
" rose again from the dead ;" (which is so common a mode of 
i reading this article of the creed,) as if he had done so more 
than once? It is to be observed, however, that it is not 
enough for a reader to have his mind fixed on the subject* 



Xiv INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

hearers. But this cannot be the case if he is occupied' 
with the thought of what their opinion will be of his ] 
reading-, and how his voice ought to be regulated ; — 
if, in short, he is thinking of himself, and of course, in - 
the same degree, abstracting his attention from that 
which ought to occupy it exclusively. * 

It is not indeed, desirable, that in reading the Bible 
for example, or any thing which is not intended to 
appear as his own composition, he should deliver,! 1 
what are, avowedly another's sentiments, in the same i 
style, as if they were such as arose in his own mind ; 
but it is desirable that he should deliver them as if he 
were reporting another's sentiments, which were both 
fully understood, and felt in all their force by the re- 
porter ; and the only way to do this effectually, — with 
such modulations of voice, &c. as are suitable to each 
word and passage, — is to fix his mind earnestly on the 
meaning, and leave nature and habit to suggest the 
utterance."* 

But in leading the devotions of a congregation in the 
use of the Liturgy, supplications, intercessions, thanks- 
givings., &c. though not of our own composition, should 



without regard to the occasion &c. It is possible to read a 
prayer well, with the tone and manner of a man who is not \ 
praying, i. e. addressing the Deity, but addressing the audience, 
and reciting a form of words for their instruction : and such 
is generally the case with those who are commended as "fine 
readers" of the Liturgy. Extemporaneous prayers are gene- 
rally delivered, with spirit indeed, but, (after the few first : 
sentences,) not as prayers, but as exhortations to the congre- 
gation . 

* Whately's Rhetoric. 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XV 

be delivered as (what in truth they ought to be,) 
the genuine sentiments of our own minds at the mo- 
ment of utterance ; and we should, therefore, approach 
as nearly as may be, to the extemporaneous style of 
delivery. It is indeed, impossible to produce the full 
effect of that style, while the audience are aware, 
that the words we utter are before us : but we may 
approach indefinitely near to such an effect ; and in 
proportion as we succeed in this object, the impres- 
sion produced will be the greater. 

The advantages of this natural manner, (i. e. the 
manner which one naturally falls into who is really 
speaking in earnest, and with a mind exclusively intent 
upon what he has to say,) may be estimated from this 
consideration, that there are few who do not speak so 
as to give effect to what they are saying; and that it 
is easy for hearers to keep up their attention, — indeed 
difficult for them to withdraw it, — when addressed by 
one who is really speaking in a natural and earnest 
manner.* 

To aid the Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in the devotional performance of its admirable 
Liturgy, is the principal aim of this little work, but 

* It would serve to correct many errors if the reader would 
ask himself before delivering a sentence, how should I read 
this, were I speaking it as my own immediate sentiments ? 
Sheridan says, in one of his Lectures, " I have often tried an 
experiment to shew the great difference between these two 
modes of utterance, the natural and the artificial ; which was, 
that when I found a person of vivacity delivering his senti- 
ments with energy, and of course with all that variety of tones 



Xvi INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

the general "Lessons on Elocution" will be found 
equally useful to all who are required to read or speak 
in public. 

In the reading of the church service, Mr. Sheri- 
dan's marks of accent and emphasis, and also his 
criticisms upon the most common errors and mistakes 
in performing it, have been generally followed when 
the contrary is not indicated; those criticisms of 
Whately which were deemed just, have been incorpo- 
rated ; and such alterations have been made, as were 
necessary to adapt a work originally intended for the 
Liturgy of the Church of England, to that of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. 

The want of some such work has been universally 
felt and acknowledged by our clergy and candidates 
for orders — and this is now offered to them as the 
best extant, so far as known to the present editor. 

Here the officiating minister, is not only furnished 
with important general directions in the discharge of 
this part of his holy functions ; but, whenever he is 
doubtful as to the emphatic word or words in any sen- 
tence of the daily service, or Litany, or communion 

which nature furnishes,, I have taken occasion to put something 
into his hand to read, as relative to the topics of conversation ; 
and it was surprising to see what an immediate change there 
was in his delivery, from the moment he began to read. A 
different pitch of voice took place of his natural one, and a 
tedious uniformity of cadence succeeded to a spirited variety ; 
in so much that a blind man could hardly conceive the person 
who read, to be the same who had just been speaking." 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. XV H 

office, he may have his embarrassment removed by a 
single glance of the eye. 

That the Lord may pour upon his brethren and 
himself a large measure of the " spirit of grace and 
supplication" — and so imbue their hearts with all the 
sentiments of pure devotion which pervade our litur- 
gical offices, that in the use of them they may " offer 
up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus 
Christ," is the sincere prayer of 

THE EDITOR. 



PART FIRST. 



LESSONS ON ELOCUTION 



LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 



CHAPTER I. 



IMPERFECT STATE OF ENGLISH ELOCUTION 
AND ITS CAUSES. 

That Divine Service in general is not performed 
with that solemnity, distinctness and propriety which 
the nature of such service demands; nor discourses 
delivered from the pulpit with such powers of persua- 
sion, or forcible Elocution, as alone can make them 
produce their intended effects, is generally admitted. 

In short, that good public reading or speaking, is 
rarely found in a country where reading and speaking 
in public are more generally used than in any other 
in the world ; where the doing them well is a matter 
of the utmost importance to the state and to society ; 
and where promotion or honour to individuals, is sure 
to attend even a moderate share of merit in those points, 
is a truth which cannot be denied ; it is manifested in 
our legislatures and churches, on the bench and at 
the bar. 

If any stranger in China, observing the uncommon 
smallness of feet in all the women ; or, in some savage 
countries, the uncouth shape of the head in whole na- 
tions of Barbarians, some formed into a conical figure 
3# 



!32 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

like that of a sugar-loaf, others flattened at the top and 
rendered square ; should not be acquainted with the 
causes of these extraordinary appearances, he would 
be apt to conclude that they were defects and blem- 
ishes of nature. But when he should be told, that the 
feet of the former were bound in the tightest manner 
with bandages from childhood, on purpose to prevent 
their growth ; and the skulls of the latter, from the 
hour of the infant's birth, whilst yet they were unclos- 
ed, and yielded to impression, were industriously 
moulded into those forms, from a mistaken idea of 
beauty ; how would he wonder at the folly of nations, 
that could persevere in such absurd customs? 

Yet much more to be wondered at, would the con- 
duct of a civilized people be, who should persevere in 
a custom far more fatal ; that of binding up and con- 
tracting from early childhood, and moulding into un- 
natural forms, the faculties of speech, which are 
amongst the most noble, useful, and ornamental, that 
are possessed by man ; by which he is in a more espe- 
cial manner distinguished from brutes; and without 
the perfect use of which, he cannot, in many cases, 
as he ought, discharge his duty to his neighbour, his 
country, or his God. 

Such has been the course in regard to the art of de- 
livery, among ourselves and our forefathers. Our 
deficiency in it, must he ascribed to a method of 
teaching it, erroneous and defective to the last degree. 

For a long time after letters had been introduced 
into Britain, the art of reading was known only to a 
few. Those were days of ignorance and rudeness; 



LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 23 

and to be able to read at all was thought little less than 
miraculous. Such times were not proper for cultivat- 
ing that art, or bringing it to perfection. After the re- 
vival of the dead languages among us, which suddenly- 
enlightened the minds of men, and diffused general 
knowledge, one would imagine that great attention 
would have been paid to an art, which was cultivated 
with so much care by those ancients, to whom we 
were indebted for all our light ; and that it would have 
made an equal progress amoug us, with the rest which 
we had borrowed from them. But it was this very cir- 
cumstance, the revival of the dead languages, which 
put a stop to all improvement in the art of reading ; 
and which has continued it in the same low state from 
that time to this. From that period, the minds of men 
took a wrong bias. Their whole attention was em- 
ployed in the cultivation of the artificial, to the ne- 
glect of the natural language. Letters, not sounds ; 
writing, not speech, became the general care. To 
make boys understand what they read ; to explain the 
meaning of the Greek and Roman authors; and to 
write their exercises according to the laws of gram- 
mar or prosody in a dead language, were the chief 
objects of instruction. While that of delivery was so 
wholly neglected, that the best scholars often could 
not make themselves understood in repeating their own 
exercises; or disgraced beautiful composition by an 
ungracious delivery. Those who taught the first rudi- 
ments of reading, thought their task finished when 
their pupils could read fluently, and observe their 
stops. This employment requiring no great talents, 



24 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

usually fell to the lot of old women, or men of mean 
capacities; who could teach no other mode of utter- 
ance than what they possessed themselves ; and conse- 
quently were not likely to communicate any thing of 
propriety or grace to their scholars. If they brought j 
with them any bad habits, such as stammering, mum- 
bling, an indistinct articulation, a constrained, unnatural 
tone of voice, brought on from imitation of some other; 
or if they were unable to pronounce certain letters, 
these poor creatures, utterly unskilled in the causes of 
these defects, sheltered their ignorance under the ge- 
neral charge of their being natural impediments, and ' 
sent them to the Latin school, with all their imper- • 
fections on their heads. The master of that school, as ; 
little skilled in these matters as the other, neither \ 
knew how, nor thought it part of his province to at- 
tempt a cure; and thus the disorder generally passed } 
irremediable through life. Such was the state of this i 
art on the first propagation of literature, and such it 
notoriously remains to this day. 

When we reflect on the general benefit that would } 
accrue from bringing this art to perfection; that it 
would be useful to many professions ; necessary to the 
most numerous and respectable order established among 
us ; ornamental to all individuals, whether male or fe- 
male; and that the state of public elocution must in a 
great measure be affected by it, it would be apt to 
astonish one to think that there has been so little pro- 
gress made in it. 

When we consider too that the world has always 
been clamorous in their complaints upon this head, hav- 



LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 25 

ing too generally occasion to regret the low state of 
this art, in their attendance on the most important duty, 
that of public worship ; and that there are multitudes 
whose interest and inclination it would be to improve 
themselves in it, had they the means in their power, 
and could they obtain regular instruction ; it would sur- 
prise one at first that no one has as yet devised such 
a method, which would certainly be attended with 
great emoluments to him. And indeed the prospect 
was so inviting, that many have been the attempts 
which have been made in that way from time to time; 
but they all failed from the same cause ; which was, 
that they who attempted it were men skilled in letters, 
but not in sounds ; and they were blind enough to ima- 
gine that the knowledge of the one necessarily includ- 
ed that of the other. Whereas the very reverse is 
true ; as it would be impossible to treat justly of sounds, 
until the man of letters shall have first divested himself 
of all the prejudices and errors which he had imbibed 
with regard to that article, from the time of his first 
learning the alphabet ; for in that lies the source of all 
our mistakes. They took the alphabet as they found 
it, and thought it perfect ; whereas this alphabet, on 
the revival of the learned languages, was borrowed 
from the Roman, though it by no means squared with 
our tongue. As a proof of which it is certain that we 
have twenty-eight simple sounds in our tongue, and have 
in reality but twenty characters to mark them, though 
more letters appear in the alphabet. This reduced men 
in the beginning to a thousand clumsy contrivances, in 
those unenlightened days, to make such an alphabet 



26 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

answer the end at all ; but it was done at such an ex- 
pence as to make the learning to read and spell pro- 
perly a tedious and difficult task, which required the 
labour of many years to accomplish. These contri- 
vances of theirs in spelling, to make a defective alpha- 
bet answer the end of representing words, have so 
confounded our ideas with regard to the powers of 
several letters, applied to a variety of different uses, 
that all the systems hitherto produced upon that point 
have been a perfect chaos. Nothing can be a stron- 
ger proof of the gross errors into which literary men 
fell, in their several grammars and treatises upon this 
subject, than that the best of them have mistaken 
diphthongs for simple sounds, and simple sounds for 
diphthongs ; compound consonants for single, and sin- 
gle for compound. Nay, what is still more extraor- 
dinary, that they have even mistaken vowels for con- 
sonants. What superstructure built on such funda- 
mental errors could stand ? 

The first necessary step towards establishing rules 
for this art upon any solid foundation, is, as in all others, 
to ascertain the number, and explain the nature of its 
first simple elements ; for any error there, must carry 
an incorrigible taint throughout. 

It will be granted that in repeating the alphabet of 
any tongue, every simple sound contained in that 
tongue ought to be heard in it ; that being the very na- 
ture and end of forming an alphabet : and in order that 
the written language should correspond to the spoken, 
each simple sound should have its peculiar mark, for 
which it should invariably stand. I have shewn that 



LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 27 

by adopting an alphabet no way suited to our tongue, 
neither of these is, nor can be the case. The conse- 
quence of which has been, that all attempts towards 
establishing a theory of our sounds, have hitherto end- 
ed in confusion and error ; and the practical part of 
reading and spelling our words has been so loaded with 
difficulties, that it requires the labour of years to over- 
come it. For want of a just theory, no method has 
hitherto been found out for teaching justness of utter- 
ance, and propriety of pronunciation; and mankind are 
left on this occasion wholly to the guidance of chance, 
catching up that general mode of utterance which pre- 
vails in the places of their nativity ; and singularities 
of pronunciation and tones from their parents, masters, 
companions, or domestics. 

Without knowing the nature and properties of the 
simple elements or letters, it will be impossible after- 
wards to discern their peculiar beauty and force when 
united in words; and the expression and harmony aris- 
ing from the combination of those words in sentences, 
or their arrangement in verse. In short, all true criti- 
cal skill in the sound of language, must have its founda- 
tion here. This was a favourite study amongst the an- 
cients, and men of the greatest abilities, and dignity in 
the state, applied themselves to it with ardour. Mes- 
sala among the Romans got an immortal name, for 
writing an express treatise on a single letter : and the 
honours of Greece were decreed at the Olympic games 
to Apollodorus, for having made some new discoveries 
in that way. Quinctilian, in recommending a close at- 
tention to the study of the simple elements, has this 



28 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

remarkable passage ; c Not, says he, that there is any 
great difficulty in dividing the letters into vowels and 
consonants ; and subdividing the latter into mutes and 
semivowels; but because whoever will enter into the 
inmost recesses of this, I may call it, sacred edifice, 
will find many things not only proper to sharpen the 
ingenuity of children, but able to exercise the most 
profound erudition, and deepest science.' Such were 
the sentiments of the great ancients upon this important 
article, and those sentiments were carried into execu- 
tion. The consequence of which was, that all the 
powers of elocution, and all the elegancies of composi- 
tion both in poetry and prose, were carried to a degree I 
of perfection, unknown in any other age or country in 
the world. While we are so little acquainted with 
fundamentals, that all we are taught with regard to the 
elements of speech, is a distinction of the letters into 
consonants and vowels ; and another distinction of the 
former into mutes and liquids. And even in this dis- 
tinction, a mistake has been committed in describing 
the nature of liquids, which are said to have obtained 
that name from their fine flow and smoothness to the 
ear: whereas one of them, r, is the roughest letter in 
speech; and m was considered as a disagreeable sound, 
and called the bellowing letter by the ancients, from 
its resemblance to the lowing of oxen, and on that ac- 
count was frequently struck out by an elision in the 
measure of Roman poetry. But the true reason of the 
name of liquids arose from their property of uniting 
readily with other consonants, and flowing as it were 
into their sounds. 






LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 29 

All the powers of sound must remain in a state of 
confusion, or impenetrable darkness, while the custom 
continues of applying ourselves wholly to the study of 
the written language, and neglecting that of speech. 
When the art of reading with propriety shall have 
been established and produced its effects, a new field 
will be opened to our writers, unknown to their prede- 
cessors, for composition both in poetry and prose, 
which will display in a new light the vast compass of 
our language in point of harmony and expression, from 
the same cause which produced similar effects at 
Rome in the writers of the Ciceronian or Augustan age. 
For it was at that period that the Romans first applied 
themselves to the cultivation of the living language, hav- 
ing before, like us, employed themselves wholly about 
the written. How is it possible, indeed, that the compass 
and harmony whereof an instrument is susceptible, 
can be perceived, if the keys are either touched at 
random, or ouly a few simple airs played upon it learn- 
ed by ear. 



30 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 



CHAPTER II. 



ARTICULATION. 

A good articulation, consists, in giving every letter 
in a syllable, its due portion of sound, according to 
the most approved custom of pronouncing it; and in 
making such a distinction, between the syllables, of 
which words are composed, that the ear shall without 
difficulty acknowledge their number ; and perceive at 
once, to which syllable each letter belongs. Where 
these points are not observed, the articulation is pro- 
portionally defective. 

A good articulation is to the ear, in speaking, what 
a fair and regular hand is to the eye, in writing ; and 
exactness in sounding the words rightly, corresponds 
to propriety in spelling ; in both cases, the understand- 
ing can comprehend what is offered to it, with ease 
and quickness, and without being obliged to have re- 
course to painful attention. Fairness and exactness of 
hand is not thought a necessary qualification of a gen- 
tleman; and is expected only from writing-masters 
and clerks. Nor is it a disgrace to him, even to write | 
such a hand, as is scarcely legible. The more irregu- 
lar the hand is, the more time and pains indeed it will 
cost the reader, to make out the words ; but then he 
may do this at his leisure, as the marks are permanent. 
With regard to articulation, in which the marks of the 
words vanish as they are spoken, this is not the case ; 



ARTICULATION. 31 

and therefore it should be so distinct, that the hearer, 
may with ease, go along with the speaker, at the same 
pace. For if he should stop, to set anything right, 
that is amiss in the speaker, whilst his attention is em- 
ployed on that point, he loses irrecoverably, all that 
is said during that time. It is therefore in itself, a 
matter much more essentially necessary, that a speak- 
er should have a clear and distinct articulation, than 
that a writer should be master of a good hand. 

But it is a disgrace to a gentleman, to be guilty of 
false spelling, either by omitting, changing, or adding 
letters contrary to custom ; and yet it shall be no dis- 
grace to omit letters, or even syllables in speaking, 
and to huddle his words so together, as to render them 
utterly unintelligible. Yet surely, exactness in the lat- 
ter, is a point of much more importance than in the 
former article, in whatever light we view it. The 
writing of a gentleman is submitted but to one reader 
at a time ; who may examine it at his leisure, supply 
any defects of orthography, and decypher the meaning, 
though the characters be ever so irregular. But the 
words of one who speaks in public, whether delivered, 
or read from notes, may be, at one and the same time, 
addressed to many hundred hearers; who must lose 
the benefit or purposed end of the discourse, in pro- 
portion as it is indistinctly pronounced. 

The reason of the unequal judgment passed tyy man- 
kind in this case is, that written language is taught by 
rule, and it is thought a shame for any one, to trans- 
gress the known rules of an art, in which he has been 
instructed. But spoken language is not regularly 



32 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

taught, but is left to chance, imitation, and early ha- 
bit : and therefore, like all other things left to chance, 
or unsettled principles, is liable to innumerable ir- 
regularities and defects. And in this case, mankind 
reciprocally claim, and allow indulgence to each other. 
That this is the true reason, will be evident from this 
consideration, that amongst the Greek and Romans, 
where speaking was regularly taught, the smallest error 
committed in pronouncing, was equally disgraceful in 
men, as false spelling is with us. 

Hence it comes to pass that faults in articulation, 
early contracted, are suffered to gain strength by habit, 
and to grow so inveterate by time, as to be incurable ; 
partly through want of attention to the point in early 
years ; and partly through want of skilful persons to re- 
medy the evil after it has been suffered to take root. 

I dare boldly affirm, that of the multitude of instances 
which offer, of a vitiated articulation, there is not one 
in a thousand, which proceeds from any natural defect 
or impediment. Of this point I had many proofs, in 
the school where I received my first rudiments of learn- 
ing; and where the master made pronunciation a chief 
object of his attention ; in which I never knew, a single 
instance, of his failing to cure, such boys as came to 
him with any defects of that kind; though there were 
numbers, who lisped or stuttered to a great degree, on 
their first entrance into the school; or who were 
utterly unable to pronounce some letters, and others 
very indistinctly. 

The first, and most essential point in articulation, is 
distinctness, and therefore, its opposite is the greatest 



ARTICULATION. 33 

fault. Indistinctness, to a certain degree, renders the 
speaker unintelligible; or demands a more than ordi- 
nary attention, which is always painful to the hearer. 
The chief source of indistinctness, is too great preci- 
pitancy of speech. 

In all accounts of Demosthenes, we are informed, 
that to cure some impediments in his speech, he used 
to exercise himself in declaiming with pebble-stones in 
his mouth. What those impediments were, or how so 
uncommon a method, should contribute to their remo- 
val, is left to conjecture; nor can I find that there has 
been any attempt made, to explain this point. But the 
difficulty will immediately be solved, if we suppose, 
that the imperfection which he wanted to remedy, was, 
an indistinct articulation ; that owed its origin to a too 
great precipitancy of utterance : for the pebble-stones 
in that case, properly placed in the mouth, would im- 
pede the usual velocity in the action of the tongue, and 
bring it in time to a due degree of slowness: besides, 
they would be a constant memorandum to himself, to 
avoid any rapidity of utterance, which otherwise, from 
custom, without some memento of that kind, he would 
be apt to fall into. 

The example of this prince of orators, affords the 
highest encouragement, to all men who labour under 
imperfections of speech, to endeavour their cure; as 
by diligence, and using proper means, they have rea- 
son to expect success. For perhaps there was not any 
one of his age, who laboured under so many defects in 
that way, even after he had advanced several years in 

manhood ; and yet he not only got the better of all 

4* 



34 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

those, but arrived at such a pitch of exactness, delica- 
cy, and power of delivery, as soon threw all competi- 
tors at a distance ; though elocution had arrived at such 
perfection in his days, that it might justly be called the 
age of orators. And all this, as we are informed, was 
chiefly accomplished by his own labour and assiduity. 
This of all others is the most encouraging circumstance 
in these times, when a man can have little assistance 
from others, and must chiefly rely upon himself, and 
his own endeavours, to apply closely to the cure of 
any ill habits of delivery, and not to despair of success. 
To cure any imperfections in speech, arising origi- 
nally from too quick an utterance, the most effectual 
method, will be, to lay aside an hour every morning, 
to be employed in the practice of reading aloud, in a 
manner much slower than is necessary. This should 
be done in the hearing of a friend, or some person 
whose office it should be, to remind the reader, if at 
any time he should perceive him mending his pace, 
and falling into his habit of a quick utterance. Let 
him sound all his syllables full, and have that point 
only in view, without reference to the sense of the 
words; for if he is attentive to that, he will unwarily 
fall into his old habit: on which account, that he may 
not be under any temptation of that sort, I would have 
him, for some time, read the words of a vocabulary, in 
the alphabetical order. In this way, he will soon find 
out, what letters and syllables, he is apt to sound too 
faintly, and slur over. Let him make a list of those 
words ; and be sure to pronounce them over distinctly, 
every morning, before he proceeds to others. Let 



ARTICULATION. 35 

him accustom himself also, when alone, to speak his 
thoughts aloud, in the same slow manner, and with the 
same view. Otherwise, though he may get a habit of 
reading more slowly, he will fall into his usual manner, 
in discourse : and this habit of speaking aloud, when 
alone, will not only bring him to a more distinct utter- 
ance, but produce a facility of expression, in which 
silent thinkers, are generally defective. 

There is one cause of indistinct articulation, which 
is almost universal, and which arises from the very 
genius of our tongue ; so that unless great care be ta- 
ken, it is scarcely possible, but that every one should 
be affected by it, in some degree. Every word, com- 
posed of more syllables than one, in our language, has 
one syllable accented, and peculiarly distinguished 
from the rest ; either by a smart percussion of the voice, 
or by dwelling longer upon it. If this accented sylla- 
ble be properly distinguished, the word will often be 
sufficiently known, even though the others are sounded 
very confusedly. This produces a negligence, with 
regard to the articulation of the other syllables; which 
though it may not render the sense obscure, yet destroys 
all measure and proportion, and consequently all har- 
mony in delivery. This fault is so general, that I 
would strongly recommend at first, the practice of pro- 
nouncing the unaccented syllables more fully, and 
dwelling longer upon them, than is necessary, as the 
only means, of bringing those, whose utterance is too 
rapid, to a due medium. It is true there are some, 
who through the misfortune of bad instruction, or preva- 
lence of early bad example, have a tedious drawling 



36 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

utterance, dwelling almost equally on all syllables, (of 
which I shall speak more under the head of accent); 
but as this is neither consonant to the genius of the 
tongue, nor the customary manner of speech in this 
country, there is no great danger of erring on that side. 



ACCENT. 37 



CHAPTER III. 



ACCENT. 

Without entering into a more particular considera- 
tion of letters and syllables, which are the component 
parts of words ; (a prolix discussion of that branch of 
the subject being unnecessary in a work like this :) I 
shall now proceed to the consideration of that article 
which constitutes the very essence of words. 

As words may be formed of various numbers of syl- 
lables, from one up to eight or nine, it was necessary 
that there should be some peculiar mark to distinguish 
words from mere syllables, otherwise speech would be 
nothing but a continued succession of syllables, without 
conveying ideas : for, as words are the marks of ideas, 
any confusion in. the marks, must cause the same in 
the ideas for which they stand. It was, therefore, 
necessary, that the mind should at once perceive, what 
number of syllables belong to each word, in utterance. 
This might be done by a perceptible pause at the end 
of each word in speaking, in the same manner as we 
make a certain distance between them in writing and 
printing. But this would make discourse disgustingly 
tedious; and though it might render words distinct, 
would make the meaning of sentences confused. They 
might also be sufficiently distinguished by a certain 
elevation, or depression of the voice upon one syllable 



, 



38 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

of each word, which was the practice of some nations, 
as shall presently be explained. But the English 
tongue has, for this purpose, adopted a mark of the , 
easiest and simplest kind, which is called accent. By 
accent is meant, a certain stress of the voice, upon a 
particular letter of a syllable, which distinguishes it 
from the rest, and, at the same time, distinguishes the b 
syllable itself to which it belongs, from the others 
which compose the word. Thus, in the word hab'it, [ 
the accent upon the b distinguishes that letter from the ( 
others, and the first syllable from the last. Add more 
syllables to it, and it will still do the same ; as, hab'it- 
able. In the word, repute, the u is the distinguished 
letter, and the syllable which contains it, the distin- 
guished syllable. But if we add more syllables to it, 
as in the word, refutable, the seat of the accent is 
changed to the first syllable, and p becomes the dis- 
tinguished letter. Every word in our language, of 
more syllables than one, has one of the syllables dis- ,. 
tinguished from the rest in this manner, and every 
monosyllable has a letter. Thus in the word hat', the , 
t is accented, in hate, the vowel a. In cub', the 6, in . 
cube the u. Hence every word in the language, which 
may properly be called so, has an accent ; for the par- 
ticles, such as a, the, to, in, &c. which are unaccented, 
can scarce be called words, which seems to be implied 
in the name given to them, and they are the fitter to 
discharge their office by this difference made between 
them. So that as articulation is the essence of sylla- 
bles, accent is the essence of words; which, without 
it, would be nothing more than a mere succession of 



ACCENT. 39 

syllables. Thus simple as the state of the English 
accent is, no article of speech has occasioned more 
perplexity in those who have treated of it, merely by 
confounding it with the accents. of the ancients, which 
were quite different things. There is no subject of 
antiquity which has more puzzled the literary world, 
than that of the Greek accents ; the marks of which 
have come down to us with their books, but the use 
of them is utterly unknown. This gave rise to a con- 
troversy, which was carried on for a great length of 
time, by some of the most learned men, in different 
parts of Europe ; but it ended, as most controversies 
do, when people are not masters of their subject, with- 
out producing any thing satisfactory to the world upon 
that head. It was lately revived by a very learned 
gentleman in England, with no better success; for 
whoever will take the pains of reading Dr. Foster's 
Book upon Accents, though he may see in it great 
marks of erudition, and deep-reading, will find himself 
as much in the dark, as he was before. These several 
controvertists have proved their opponents to be wrong, 
but none have been able to establish what is right. And 
this arose from the same cause, which I have had occa- 
sion to mention before, that these men of letters were 
treating of a subject which regarded sounds, in which 
they were unskilled. Let me now try, without equal 
pretensions to literary merit, whether the greater atten- 
tion which I have given to sounds, will not enable me 
to clear away all the difficulties, in which this intricate 
subject has been hitherto involved. 



40 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

I have said, that the chief reason of the confusion 
which has appeared in the writings of all who have 
treated on that subject, is, that they did not see the 
difference between the use of the ancient and modern 
accent. Together with the term, they have also adopt- 
ed their definition; whereas in reality they are two 
things utterly distinct. The ancient accents, consist- ' 
ed in the elevation, or depression of the voice : the 
English accent, in the mere stress of the voice, with- f* 
out any change of note. Among the Greeks, all syl- 
lables were pronounced either in a high, low, or mid- 
dle note ; or else in a union of the high and low by ' 
means of the intermediate. The middle note, which 
was exactly at an equal distance between the high and 
the low, was that in which the unaccented syllables 
were pronounced. But every word had one letter, if :[ 
a monosyllable, or one syllable, if it consisted of more 
than one, distinguished from the rest ; either by a note f 
of the voice perceptibly higher than the middle note, 
which was called the acute accent ; or by a note per- \ 
ceptibly and in equal proportion lower than the middle 
one, which was called the grave accent; or by a union ; ' 
of the acute and grave on one syllable, which was f 
done by the voice passing from the acute, through the - 
middle note, in continuity down to the grave, which 
was called the circumflex. 

Now in pronouncing English words, it is true that 
one syllable is always distinguished from the rest, but 
it is not by any perceptible elevation or depression of : 
the voice, any high or low note that it is done, but 
merely by dwelling longer upon it, or giving it a more 



ACCENT. 41 

forcible stroke. When the stress or accent is on the 
vowel, we dwell longer on that syllable than the rest. 
As, in the words, glory, father, holy. When it is on 
the consonant, the voice, passing rapidly over the vow- 
el, gives a smarter stroke to the consonant, which dis- 
tinguishes that syllable from others ; as, in the words, 
bat'tle, hab'it, bor'row. Thus we see, that the whole 
difference between the ancients and us, lies in this; 
that they distinguished one syllable from the rest by a 
change of note upon it ; and we distinguish it equally 
well, without any change of note, by stress only. To 
illustrate this, let us suppose the same movements beat 
upon the drum, and sounded by the trumpet. Take, 
for instance, a succession of words, where the accent 
is on every second syllable, which forms an Iambic 
movement ; the only way by which a drum (as it is 
incapable of any change of notes) can mark that move- 
ment, is by striking a soft note first, followed by one 
more forcible, and so on in succession. Let the same 
movement be sounded by the trumpet, in an alterna- 
tion of high and low notes, and it will give a distinct 
idea of the difference between the English accent, and 
those of the ancients.* 

* Mr. Walker in his tf observations on the Latin and Greek 
accent" thus controverts the opinion of our author. " Mr. 
Sheridan, with his usual decision tells us that accent is only a 
greater force upon one syllable than another, without any 
relation to the elevation or depression of the voice : while al- 
most every other writer on the subject makes the elevation or 
depression of the voice inseparable from accent. When 
words are pronounced in a monotone as the bellman repeats 



42 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

The difficulty of conceiving the use of the ancient 
accents, arises from our never having heard any peo- 
ple speak, who had taken the pains to reduce their 

his verses, the crier pronounces his advertisements, or the 
clerk of a church gives out the psalm, we hear an ictus or ac- 
centual force upon the several accented syllables which distin- 
guishes them from the others, but no more variety of tone 
than if we were to beat the syllables upon a drum, which may 
be louder or softer, but cannot be higher or lower ; this is pro- 
nouncing according to Mr. Sheridan's definition of accent : 
and this pronunciation certainly comes under the definition of 
singing ; it is singing ill indeed, as Julius Caesar said of a bad 
reader, but still it is singing, and therefore essentially different 
from speaking ; for in speaking, the voice is continually sliding 
upwards or downwards ; and in singing it is leaping, as it were 
from a lower to a higher, or from a higher to a lower note : 
the only two possible ways of varying the human voice with 
respect to elevation or depression." But Mr. W. admits, that 
" that excellent scholar, Mr. Forster," and that "most inge- 
nious, learned and candid inquirer 1 ' Mr. Nares, were of the 
same opinion with Mr. Sheridan. 

It is left for the reader to judge whether Walker has, in this 
instance, done justice to Sheridan. It should be borne in 
mind, that our author makes an important distinction between 
accent and emphasis. The former, he considers as ee the link 
which ties syllables together and forms them into words." 
" The essence of a syllable consists in articulation only; — but 
the essence of a word, consists in accent as well as articula- 
tion. This will be made clear by an example. If I pronounce 
the word ar-ti-cu-la-tion, in that manner without distinguish- 
ing any syllable from the rest, it is no longer a word, but a 
succession of syllables ; but when I pronounce it articulation, 
laying an accent on the syllable la, that it is which constitutes 
a word, by uniting the preceding syllables and the subsequent 



ACCENT. 43 

common mode of utterance, like singing, to a musical 
proportion : for, surely there is nothing in the nature of 
things, to prevent our modifying the various notes of 
the speaking voice, by a due proportion, any more 
than those of the singing voice. We know for certain, 
that the Greeks and Romans did modulate their sever- 



one to itself. Emphasis unites words together and forms them 
into sentences, or members of sentences. Accent is the mark 
which distinguishes words from each other as simple types of 
our ideas, without reference to their agreement or disagree- 
ment : emphasis is the mark which points out the several 
degrees of relationship, and the rank which they hold in the 
mind. Accent addresses itself to the ear only; emphasis 
through the ear to the understanding. Were there no accents, 
words would be resolved into their original syllables ; were 
there no emphasis, sentences would be resolved into their 
original words ; and in this case, the hearer must be at the 
pains himself, first of making out the words, and afterwards 
their meaning." 

The inflexions of voice and variety of tones which are ne- 
cessary to graceful and effective delivery, may be more ap- 
propriately classed among the properties of emphasis than 
those of accent.— For it must be manifest I think, to every 
one who seriously reflects on the subject, that they are 
dependent upon sentiments uttered, or emotions of the mind } 
rather than upon the quantity or quality of syllables and 
words. 

That Mr. S. does not advocate that monotonous sing-song 
style of Elocution which Mr. Walker would represent to be 
the necessary consequence of his doctrine upon the accent, 
will be manifest to the reader when we come to present some 
extracts from his Lectures on the pitch and management of 
the voice, tones, &c. — Ed. 



44 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

al languages in that way, and carried the point to per- l< 
fection ; though in this we do not find they were ever f 
followed by any other people* 

If it be asked how it was possible that these nice 
proportions could be observed in common discourse 
by a whole people ; it may be answered that this was k 
a matter not left to chance. When the practice of 
the best orators of Greece, had established the pro- - 
portion of these accents, observation on the pleasing 
effects which such proportion produced on the ear, k 
gave rise to the rules of art ; and the children of all 
the better class of people, were regularly taught these [ ' 
proportions, at the same time that they learned to read, 
by the same masters who taught the art of singing, 
and playing upon musical instruments : for the use of 
a false accent, would have been an unpardonable fault, 
in any one who attempted to speak in public. This 
uniformity in the higher class, was easily transferred, " 



* Mr. Sheridan refers to the Scotch as using freely the acute, 
grave and circumflex, though not in the same regular and j ( 
musical cadences which distinguished those accents among the 
ancient Greeks. As one consequence of this peculiarity of the 
Scotch pronunciation, the term canting, or chanting, has been 
extensively applied to their style of public Elocution, and es- 
pecially in the pulpit. So universal and popular was this 
chanting style in the days of Whitefield, that when that emi- 
nent minister of Jesus Christ (who was one of the most 
accomplished and powerful orators the world ever saw,) *visit- 
ed Scotland, he was received with little favour, on account of 
his natural style of Elocution : the common remark was, that 
he wanted the holy tone! — Ed. 



ACCENT. 45 

by imitation and custom, to those of an inferior order. 
| And though possibly, they, who had not the benefit of 
j such regular instruction, might not be so critically ex- 
act in the use of those accents, as they who had, yet 
the difference was but small; and we are particularly 
assured, that in Athens, where oratory was at its high- 
I est pitch, the utterance of the lowest citizen was as 
| correct, and his ear as pure, as those of the first class. 
As the English have but one accent, so they have 
• but one mark in writing to point it out; and this mark 
! is one of those used in Greek books, as it is pretend - 
I ed, to point out their accents, though in reality they 
I are quite insignificant. But as if there were some fa- 
tality, that every thing should contribute to puzzle this 
I subject among the learned, our casually borrowing the 
mark of the acute accent from the Greek, has made 
them, by an association of ideas, consider every ac- 
cented syllable with us, as elevated, or pronounced in 
a higher note than the rest. So that had the grave 
instead of the acute been adopted to be our mark, 
they would upon the same principle, have considered 
all those syllables as depressed, or uttered in a lower 
note than the rest. But had we luckily pitched upon 
I some mark of our own, which had no similitude to 
any of the Greek accents, there never would have 
been the least question about high and low with regard 
to those syllables, and the learned would have fallen 
in of eourse with the general idea, that of its only 
marking the syllable on which the stress of the voice 

is to be laid. For I think I may appeal to all my 

5* 



46 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

hearers, whether upon any dispute, about the pronun- I; 

ciation of a word, when the question is asked upon f 

which syllable the accent ought to be laid, as, adver'- i 

tisement or advertisement, concordance or concor- p 

dance, it ever enters into their heads, that this question i 
means, on which syllable the voice is to be raised ; or 
whether they do not understand it to be, on which 

syllable we are to lay the greatest stress. Indeed the a 

very term itself, the accent, shews we have but one, ) 
for had we more than one, they must be distinguished 
by different names as among the Greeks ; and that one, 

I have clearly shewn to be a monotone, as before ex- p 

emplified by the notes of a drum. The adventitious t 

sense annexed to the term from adopting the ancient s 

definition, has been the chief cause of the many errors S 

and endless disputes upon this subject. But there have |» 
been also several other meanings annexed to this word,, 

which have served to heighten the confusion. Some- I; 

times it is used instead of emphasis; sometimes to ex- i 

press the different dialect in pronunciation; and some- p 

times the peculiar tone or brogue of different countries, j 

such as the Scotch, Irish, or Welch, accent. But I > 

shall always confine it, when speaking of the English j) 
accent, to its true meaning, as set forth in the defini- 
tion, which I shall here repeat. Accent is a certain 

stress of the voice upon a particular letter of a syllable ii 

which distinguishes it from the rest, and at, the same i 

time distinguishes the syllable itself, to which it belongs, i 
from the others in a word. 

The only difference of our accent depends upon its U 

seat, which may be either upon a vowel, or a conso- i 



ACCENT. 47 

i nant. Upon a vowel, as in the words glory, father, 
j holy. Upon a consonant, as in the words ha&'it, bor'- 
j row, battle. When the accent is on the vowel the 
syllable is long, because the accent is made by dwell- 
I ing on the vowel a longer time than usual. When it 
is on the consonant, the syllable is short ; because the 
| accent is made by passing rapidly over the vowel and 
; giving a smart stroke of the voice to the following 
! consonant. Thus the words, ad'd, led', bid', rod', cub', 
are all short, the voice passing quickly over the vowel 
; to the consonant; but, for the contrary reason, the 
i words, all, laid, bide, road, cube, are long, the accent 
! being on the vowels, on which the voice dwells some 
time, before it takes in the sound of the consonant. 
Obvious as this point is, it has wholly escaped the obser- 
vation of all our grammarians, prosodians, and compilers 
of dictionaries, who, instead of examining the peculiar 
genius of our tongue, implicitly, and pedantically fol- 
lowed the Greek method, of always placing the ac- 
centual mark over the vowel. Now the reason of this 
practice among the Greeks was, that as their accents 
consisted in change of notes, they could not be dis- 
tinctly expressed but by the vowels ; in uttering which 
the passage is entirely clear for the voice to issue, and 
i not interrupted or stopped, as in the case of pronounc- 
| ing the consonants. But our accent being of another 
! nature, can just as well be placed on a consonant as a 
I vowel. By this method of marking the accented syl- 
| lable, our compilers of dictionaries, vocabularies, and 
I spelling books, must mislead provincials and foreigners, 
in the pronunciation of perhaps one half of the words 



48 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

in our language. For instance, if they should look for 
the word, endeavour; finding the accent over the vowel 
e, they will of course sound it endea-vour. In the 
same manner dedicate will be called de-dicate, precip'- 
itate preci-pitate, phenomenon pheno-menon, and so i 
on through all words of the same kind. And in fact, 
we find the Scots do pronounce all such words in that 
manner ; nor do they ever lay the accent upon the con- 
sonant in any word in the whole language; in which, J 
the diversity of their pronunciation from that of the 
people of England, chiefly consists. It is a pity that j 
our compilers of dictionaries should have fallen into 
so gross an error; as the marking of the accents in the 
right way, would have afforded one of the most gene- I 
ral and certain guides to true pronunciation that is to 
be found with respect to our tongue ; as it is an unerr- 
ing rule throughout the whole, without a single excep- 
tion, that whenever the accent is on the consonant, the 
preceding vowel has always its first short sound, as 

i i i i i 
exemplified in the words, hat, bet, Jit, not, cub. And 

indeed as accent is the chief clue we have to the whole 
pronunciation of our tongue, while its nature was mis- 
understood, and its use perverted, it was impossible '. 
that provincials and foreigners could ever attain it; 
and accordingly the difficulty of speaking English pro- 
perly, has been found insurmountable to all, except the 
well-educated natives. 

I shall now conclude this head with a few practical 
rules for the strict observation of the laws of accent ; 



ACCENT. 49 

the necessity of which, I hope, is by this time appa- 
! rent to all my hearers. 

All persons who pronounce English words properly, 
of course lay the accent right, as that is a part of pro- 
nunciation ; and never fail to do so in conversation. 
But many, when they come to read or speak in public, 
i transgress the rules of accent. This arises from a 
I mistaken notion in some, that words are rendered more 
j distinct to a large assembly, by dwelling longer upon 
l the syllables which compose them; and in others, that 
j it adds to the pomp and solemnity of public declama- 
! tion, in which they think every thing ought to be dif- 
1 ferent from private discourse. This has been chiefly 
the vice of the stage, and has principally given rise to 
the distinction of what is commonly called Theatrical 
Declamation, in opposition to that of the natural kind ; 
into an imitation of which many public speakers have 
! been betrayed, and their manner called on that account 
: Theatrical. Upon examination it would appear, that 
it arises chiefly from their dwelling upon syllables that 
are unaccented, through a notion that it makes the words 
move more slow, stately, and uniform, than the quick- 
er and more spirited accents will allow. This was a 
fault which Shakspeare complained of in his time, and 
which has not been thoroughly amended since ; though 
there have been some late efforts towards it, and some 
progress made in it. The passage alluded to in Shaks- 
peare is in the advice given to the player by Hamlet; 
where in laying down rules for a just delivery, he says, 
Speak the speech I pray you as I pronounced it to 
you, trippingly on the tongue ; but if you mouth it, as 



I < 



50 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

some of our actors do, I had as lieve the town-crier 
spoke my lines." By c trippingly on the tongue,' he 
means the bounding from accent to accent; tripping 
along from word to word, without resting on syllables 
by the way. And by c mouthing, 7 is meant, dwelling 
upon syllables that have no accent, and ought therefore 
to be uttered as quickly as is consistent with distinct ( 
articulation ; or prolonging the sounds of the accented 
syllables, beyond their due proportion of time. The 
least degree of faultiness in this respect, gives an arti- 
ficial air to language,; inasmuch as it differs from the 
usual, and what is commonly called, natural manner , 
of utterance ; and is on that account, of all others, to 
be avoided most by public speakers ; whose business 
it is industriously to conceal art. If any one pronoun- 
ces the words for-tune, en'-croac'h-me'nt, con'-jectiire, , 
grat'i-tiide, tomorrow, hap'pine'ss, patien'ce ; he does 
not utter words, at least not English words, but sylla- 
bles ; which with us, are always tied together by an , 
accent ; as for' tune, encroachment, conjecture, grat'i- j, 
tude, tomor'row, hap'piness, patience. And yet, this j 
is an error, which almost all persons who speak with , 
solemnity, run into, for want of knowing in what true , 
solemnity of delivery consists. Which, though it may ] 
demand a slower utterance than usual, yet, requires , 
that the same proportion in quantity be observed in , 
the syllables, as there is in musical notes, when the , 
same tune is played in quicker or slower time. But 
of this I shall have occasion to speak more at large D 
hereafter. 



ACCENT. 51 

The only rule, with regard to this head, necessary 
to be observed by all public speakers, who can pro- 
nounce English properly, is to lay the accent always 
on the same syllables, and the same letter of the sylla- 
ble, which they usually do in common discourse, and 
■ to take care not to lay any accent or stress, upon any 
| other syllable. A rule so plain and easy, that nothing 
j but affectation, or bad habits, contracted from imitat- 
| ing others, can prevent its always taking place. And 
j yet the want of knowing, or attending to this rule, is 
! one of the chief sources, of the unnatural manner of 
< declaiming, which is so generally complained of, though 
' few can tell exactly where the fault lies. 

I shall only add upon this head, that there are few 
things in our language, so regular, and well settled, as 
the article of accent. It is true there are some words 
that have occasioned many disputes about the seat of 
' the accent, and have had their different partisans ; such 
! as concordance or concordance, refractory or refrac'- 
tory, corruptible, or corrup'tible, accen'ted, or accent- 
ed ; the accenting of these being doubtful, every man 
is at liberty to choose which he likes best; and in 
giving the preference, the ear beyond all doubt ought 
to be consulted, as to that which forms the most agreea- 
ble sound, rather than an absurd, pedantic rule, attempt- 
ed to be laid down, that of throwing the accent as far 
back as possible ; which has no foundation in the ge- 
nius of our tongue, and must frequently produce the 
most discordant sounds. And if any one who has the 
liberty of choosing, should prefer the sound of con- 
cordance, to concordance ; refractory to refrac'tory, 



52 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

or corruptible to corruptible ; he cannot possibly 
make any one form a better opinion of his judgment, 
and I am sure he will give those who have any skill in 
sounds, a very bad one of his ear. 



EMPHASIS. 53 



CHAPTER IV. 



EMPHASIS. 

| Having done with words, I shall now proceed to 
| consider sentences, the most important article in which 
I is that of emphasis. 

As the man who attempts to pronounce words with- 
! out observation of accent, really does not utter words 
i but syllables ; so the man who attempts to pronounce 
I sentences without emphasis, really does not utter 
sentences, but words. So that in speech, words are 
the body ; pauses and stops give it shape and form, 
and distinguish the several parts of the body ; but ac- 
cent and emphasis are the life, blood, and soul, which 
put it in motion, and give it power to act. And as 
nothing can be more tedious to the ear, or irksome to 
the mind, than a long succession of mere lifeless word?, 
we need not wonder that our public readers and reci- 
ters, who judge of language only in its written state, 
and have never become acquainted with its nobler 
properties as offered to the ear, are either so little 
attended to, or heard with disgust. 

What, then, is emphasis? Emphasis is of two 
kinds ; simple and complex. Simple, when it serves 
only to point out the plain meaning of any proposition; 
complex, when besides the meaning, it marks also, 
some affection or emotion of the mind; or gives a 



64 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

meaning to words, which they would not have in their 
usual acceptation, without such emphasis. 

The opinion that emphasis is only a more 'forcible 
accent than ordinary laid upon the word to which it 
belongs, and that it is exactly of the same nature, dif- 
fering only in degree of force; is one, which to the 
great prejudice of elocution, lias too generally prevail- 
ed. 

But there is an absolute and constitutional difference, 
between accent and emphasis, as certainly there ought 
to be, which consists in this; that every emphatic syl- 
lable, besides a greater stress, is marked also by a 
change of note in the voice. To shew the necessity 
of this, we need only observe, that the mind, in com- 
municating its ideas, is in a continual state of activity, 
emotion, or agitation, from the different effects which 
those ideas produce on the mind of the speaker. Now, 
as the end of such communication is not merely to lay 
open the ideas, but also all the different feelings which 
they excite in him who utters them, there must be 
some other marks, besides words, to manifest these; 
as words uttered in a monotonous state, can only re- 
present a similar state of mind, perfectly free from all 
activity or emotion. As the communication of these 
internal feelings was a matter of much more conse- 
quence in our social intercourse, than the mere convey- 
ing of ideas, so the Author of our being did not leave 
the invention of this language, as in the other case, to 
man, but stamped it himself upon our nature, in the 
same manner as he has done with regard to the rest of 
the animal world, who, all express their various feel- 



EMPHASIS. 55 

ings, by various tones. Only ours from the superior 
I rank that we hold, is infinitely more comprehensive; 
as there is not an act of the mind, an exertion of the 
fancy, or an emotion of the heart, which have not their 
peculiar tone, or note of the voice, by which they are 
to be expressed, all suited in the exactest proportion, 
to the several degrees of internal feeling. It is in the 
proper use of these tones chiefly that the life, spirit, 
grace, and harmony of delivery consist ; and the rea- 
son that this is a talent so rarely to be found, is, that 
almost all the nations of the world have lost sight of 
this language of nature, and substituted fantastical and 
artificial notes in its room. 

Languages may be divided into two classes, accen- 
tual, and emphatical. The accentual are those, in 
which various notes, or inflexions of the voice, are af- 
fixed to words, either in their separate state, or when 
united in sentences, without any regard to their mean- 
ing. The emphatical are those, in which all the va- 
rious notes and changes of the voice, are wholly regu- 
lated by the meaning of the words, and the sentiments 
which they contain. 

Having defined the nature of the two kinds of lan- 
guage, as distinguished into accentual, and emphatical ; 
it may be a matter of curiosity, to examine which of 
the two, upon a fair comparison, merits the preference ? 
Though the discussion of this point may be considered 
as of little use, farther than speculation, yet if it leads 
us to a discovery, that the mode of utterance which 
has fallen to our share, is in its own nature superior to 
that of the ancients, it may induce us, to take pains, to 



56 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

carry it to perfection, and obtain that superiority over 
them, to which we are thus entitled. In comparing 
them, let us suppose them both in a state of perfection. 
The accentual, certainly was among the ancients : the 
emphatical, through want of attention, never has been 
so among us. But as the former has been wholly lost 
to us, the comparison can never be brought to the test 
of experiment ; and therefore we are reduced to the 
necessity of considering the point only hypothetically. 
In order to judge which kind of language is best, we 
must first consider what are the ends, which ought to 
be proposed, in all attempts to bring language to per- 
fection. They are two; one for use, the other for 
pleasure. To attain the useful end, it is necessary to 
be able to communicate, all that passes in the mind of 
one man, to others. To attain the pleasurable end, 
that this should be done in such a way, as to delight 
and flatter the ear. The former is the essential, the lat- 
ter, the ornamental part of discourse. All that passes in 
the mind of man may be reduced to two classes, which 
I shall call, ideas, and emotions. By ideas, I mean, 
all thoughts which rise, and pass in succession, in the 
mind of man : by emotions, all exertions of the mind, in 
arranging, combining, and separating its ideas, as well 
as all the effects produced on the mind itself, by those 
ideas, from the more violent agitation of the passions, 
to the calmer feelings, produced by the operations of 
the intellect and fancy. In short, thought is the object 
of the one; internal feeling of the other. That which 
serves to express the former, I call the language of 
ideas; and the latter, the language of emotions. Words 



EMPHASIS. 57 

are the signs of the one ; tones, of the other. With- 
out the use of these two sorts of language, it is impossi- 
ble to communicate, through the ear, all that passes in 
the mind of man. But there is an essential difference 
between the two, which merits our utmost attention. 
The language of ideas is wholly arbitrary ; that is, 
words, which are the signs of our ideas, have no natu- 
ral connexion with them, but depend purely upon con- 
vention, in the different societies of men, where they 
are employed; which is sufficiently proved, by the 
diversity of languages spoken by the different nations 
of the world. But it is not so with regard to the lan- 
guage of emotions. Nature herself has taken care to 
frame that for the use of man ; having annexed to every 
act, and feeling of the mind, its peculiar tone, which 
spontaneously breaks forth, and excites in the minds 
of others, tuned invariably by the hand of nature in 
unison to those notes, analogous emotions. When- 
ever, therefore, man interferes, by substituting any other 
notes, in the room of those which nature has annex- 
ed to the acts and feelings of the mind, so far the lan- 
guage of emotions is corrupted, and fails of its end. 
For the chords of the human heart, thus tuned in uni- 
son to the natural notes only, will never vibrate in 
correspondence to those of the artificial kind. These 
artificial notes are at best insignificant ; when not regu- 
lated by certain rules of proportion, as in the irregular 
accentual, they are discordant to the ear, and deform 
utterance ; and when reduced to the nicest musical pro- 
portion, as in the regular accentual, the utmost effect 
they can produce, is, to delight the ear, and amuse the 
6* 



58 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

fancy. But whether this be not purchasing a sensual, 
or fantastic gratification, at too dear a rate, by sacri- 
ficing to it that endless variety of notes, annexed by 
nature to that endless variety of thoughts and emotions, 
may justly be questioned. And however high my 
idea of the ancient orators may be, and whatever pow- 
erful effects may have been produced by their mode 
of delivery, I cannot help thinking that with the same 
skill and ability in all the other branches of oratory, 
they would have produced effects still more powerful, 
had they delivered themselves in a language constitut- 
ed like ours, the language of nature, unsophisticated 
by art. This may be illustrated by an instance of a 
similar kind ; for I believe it will be allowed, that the 
finest opera, with all the charms and expression of 
music, and performed in the best manner possible, 
however it may delight the ear, and captivate the 
fancy, will not make an equal impression on the mind, 
or move the passions to so high a degree, as a well- 
acted tragedy, delivered with all the energy of emphat- 
ic speech. 

From this account of emphasis, the proper use of it 
in reading, is clearly pointed out ; and is to be acquir- 
ed by a due degree of attention and practice. Every 
one who understands what he reads, cannot fail of 
finding out each emphatic word ; and his business then 
is to mark it properly, not by stress only, as in the 
accented syllables, but by a change of note, suited to 
the matter, which constitutes the essence of emphasis. 
If it be asked how the proper change of note is always 
to be hit upon, my answer is, that he must not only 



EMPHASIS. 59 

understand, but feel the sentiments of the author; as 
all internal feeling must be expressed by notes, which 
is the language of emotions; not words, the language 
of ideas. And if he enters into the spirit of the au- 
thor's sentiments, as well as into the meaning of his 
words, he will not fail to deliver the words in proper- 
ly varied tones. For there are few people who speak 
English without a provincial tone, that have not the 
most accurate use of emphasis, when they utter their 
sentiments in common discourse; and the reason that 
they have not the same use of it, in reading aloud the 
sentiments of others, is owing to the very defective 
and erroneous method, in which the art of reading is 
taught; whereby all the various, natural, expressive 
tones of speech, are suppressed, and a few artificial, 
unmeaning, reading notes are substituted in their room* 

*The necessity of observing propriety of emphasis is so great, 
that the true meaning of words, cannot be conveyed without 
it. For the same individual words, ranged in the same order, 
may have several different meanings, according to the placing 
of the emphasis. Thus, to use a trite instance, the following 
sentence may have as many different meanings, as there are 
words in it, by varying the emphasis. "Shall you ride to town 
to-morrow ?" If the emphasis is on shall, as, shall you ride to 
town to-morrow? it implies, that the person spoken to had 
expressed before such an intention, but that there is some doubt 
in the questioner, whether he be determined on it or not, and 
the answer may be, Certainly, or, I am not sure. If it be on 
you, as, shall you ride to town to-morrow? the question im- 
plies that some one is to go, and do you mean to go yourself, 
or send some one in your stead? and the answer may be, No, 
but my servant shall. If on ride, as, shall you ri v de, &c. the 



60 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

There is no article, in which more frequent mistakes i 
are committed, than in this important one of emphasis, 
both with regard to stress and tone. The chief reason, 
of this general abuse of emphasis, seems to be, that chil- 
dren are taught to read sentences which they do not 
understand ; and as it is impossible to lay the emphasis [ 
[ 

answer may be, No, I shall walk. If on tow^n, a9 shall you 
ride to tow'n to-morrow, the answer may be, No, but I shall 1 
ride to the forest. If on to-morrow, as, shall you ride to town j 
to-morrow, the answer may be, No, not to-morrow, but the 
next day. 

As there is no pointing out the very meaning of the words 
by reading, without a proper observation of v emphasis, it surely ' 
has been a great defect in the art of writing, that there have J 
been no marks invented for so necessary a purpose; as it re- 
quires at all times, a painful attention in the reader to the f 
context, in order to be able to do it at all ; and in many cases, j 
the most severe attention will not answer the end ; for the em- 
phasis is often to be regulated, not by the preceding part of 
the sentence, but by the subsequent one ; which frequently is 
so long, that the motion of the eye, cannot precede the voice, P 
with sufficient celerity, to take in the meaning in due time. \ 
The want of such marks is no where so strongly perceived as 
in the general manner of reading the Church Service ; which 
is often so ill performed, that not only the beauty, and spirit of 
the service is lost, but the very meaning is obscured, conceal- 
ed, or wholly perverted. I have heard many clergymen, who 
did not read one single sentence as it should be, from the begin- S 
ning to the end ; and I have known but few who were not guilty r 
of many faults in omitting, or misplacing the emphasis. And 
on this account it is, that there is no composition in the Eng- 
lish tongue, which is at all attended to, so little understood, in 
general, as the Church Service. 



EMPHASIS. 61 

i right, without perfectly comprehending the meaning of 
I what one reads, they get a habit either of reading in a 
j monotone, or if they attempt to distinguish one word 
from the rest, as the emphasis falls at random, the 
| sense is usually perverted, or changed into nonsense. 
The way to prevent this, is, to put no book into their 
hands, which is not suited to their slender capacities ; 
and to take care that they never read any thing whose 
meaning they do not fully comprehend. The best way, 
indeed, of furnishing them with lessons for a long time, 
would be to take down their common prattle, and 
make them read it, just as they speak it ; only correct- 
ing any bad habits they may have acquired in their ut- 
terance. Thus they will early be initiated into the 
practice of considering reading to be nothing more 
than speaking at sight, by the assistance of letters ; in 
the same manner as singing at sight is performed in 
music, by the help of notes. And as it is certain that 
nature, if left to herself, directs every one in the right 
use of emphasis, when they utter their own immediate 
sentiments, they will have the same unerring rule to 
guide them after they have been written down ; and 
in process of time, by constant practice in this way, 
they will be able to deliver the sentiments of others, 
from books in the same manner. This will be found 
the best method, not only of giving them a just and 
natural delivery in reading, but also of ensuring it to 
them when they come afterwards to speak in public. 

With regard to persons more advanced in life, who 
have contracted a habit of neglecting, or misemploying 
emphasis in reading, the best way to remedy this will 



A 



62 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

be, to dedicate a certain portion of time every day toj 
reading aloud some passages fr,om books, written in an 
easy, familiar style ; and at every sentence, let them, 
ask themselves this question, — how should I utter this,/ 
were I speaking it as my own immediate sentiments ?i 
In that case, on what words should I lay the emphasis,* 
and with what change of notes in the voice ? Though at, 
first they may find, that their former habit will counteract^ 
their endeavors in this new way, yet by perseverance,!) 
they will not fail of success ; particularly if they wWii 
get each sentence by heart, for some time, and revolvd 
it in their minds with that view, without looking at the 
book. Nor should Jthey be discouraged by frequent 
disappointments in their first attempts, but repeat the 
same sentence over, till they have satisfied themselves. 
For it is not the quantity that they read, which is to ( 
be regarded in this case, but the right manner of doing? 
it; and when they shall have mastered that in some in^ 
stances, they will afterwards make a rapid progress to- 
wards accomplishing it in all. 

Nothing has contributed so much, and so universally 
to the corruption of delivery, as the bad use which has' 
been made of the modern art of punctuation, by intro- 
ducing artificial tones into all sentences, to the exclu- 
sion of the natural ; for the teachers of the art of read- 
ing, in order to distinguish with greater accuracy, the 
stops from each other in utterance, annexed to them 
different notes of the voice, as well as different portions •[ 
of time. Those which marked an incomplete sense,; 
had an elevated note of the voice joined to them; those! 
which marked a complete sense, a depressed, or lowi 



ii 



EMPHASIS. g3 

note. This uniform elevation and depression of the 
voice, in all sentences alike, produced a new kind of 
tone, which may be termed the reading brogue, with 
*ivhich all who learned to read, even such as were free 
from every other, kind, became infected. Nor is this 
brogue confined to reading only, but in general has 
made its way into all the several branches of public 
speaking. And this, from an obvious cause. Boys 
ire accustomed to repeat their lessons, declamations, 
Sic. in the same manner as they read. This mode is 
not only confirmed in them by habit, but they acquire 
k predilection for it. They consider this species of 
'delivery, which they have been taught, as far superior 
':o that kind which comes of course, without any pains, 
find therefore judge it most proper to be used on all 

Smblic occasions. Thus has this unnatural mode of ut- 
erance spread itself in the senate-house, the pulpit, the 
•bar, the stage, and every place where public declama- 
tion is used ; insomuch that the instances of a just and 
latural elocution are very rare : the want of which is 
nost sensibly, and generally felt in our churches, 
i Our neighbors the French are not altogether in the 
same predicament with us, with regard to this article, 
hough it is still in a very imperfect state among them, 
or though they have been employed near a century 
in regulating and refining their tongue, still it is, as 
itvith us, the written, not the spoken language, which 
ipas been the chief object of their attention. There is 
)ne article of speech indeed, which they have tho- 
roughly ascertained, and reduced to rule ; I mean pro- 
nunciation. But as to the art of delivery, it has never 



64 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

so much as been thought of among them ; and all their 
treatises of rhetoric and oratory have, for their object, ' 
like ours, not speech, but only composition in writing, i 
The art of reading, as taught there, differs from ours I 
in one essential article, which has been the main cause 
of the difference between their public elocution and [j 
ours ; in which they certainly have a great superiority <-> 
over us. The article I mean is this ; they have laid it 7 
down as a maxim, that children are to be taught to p 
read in a perfect monotone ; and this monotone is ever I 
after used by them in reading works of all sorts, whether j: 
in poetry or prose; and, from custom, is considered by t 
the French, as the only just manner of reading. Nothing, ; 
certainly, can be more absurd, nothing more contrary 
to common sense, nature, and taste, than this mode of l 
reading. Yet it is attended with one advantage, that 
public elocution is not infected by it, as it is by our 
method. The monotone is confined wholly to reading *> 
but, in all public declamation, the speakers indulge 
themselves in the free use of that variety, which is 
natural to them ; and their preachers, who deliver their 
discourses from memory, not notes, have an elocution 
more animated, more varied, more just than ours, and 
produce proportional effects upon their auditors. But 
this method of reading was a poor expedient to bring 
about a reformation in one of the articles of delivery: 
for it is probable, that the first motive towards estab- 
lishing this principle in the art of reading, was to put an 
end to the different tones used by people of the different 
provinces, by making all read alike in one uniform tone. 
But this, with regard to the article of reading, was 



EMPHASIS. 65 

only substituting one evil, and perhaps a worse one, in 
the room of another; and with regard to the more im- 
portant use of delivery, whether from memory, or ex- 
temporaneous, it produced no effect at all ; as each in 
that case, resumed his own habitual tone of utterance. 
They who were in a situation of acquiring a propriety 
of speech in conversation, from being bred among those 
who spoke with purity, retained the same in public 
delivery; while they, whose utterance was vitiated, 
'■ by being bred up among those, whose provincial tones, 
| or other irregularities of speech, prevailed in private 
I discourse, brought the same faults with them into 
public also. Thus, in comparing the two different 
methods, used in England and France, in teaching the 
art of reading, we find that the former carries a taint 
in its root, which spreads through all branches of elo- 
cution, withers the tree, and will never suffer it to 
bear fruit : whereas the latter is perfectly inoffensive, 
does neither harm nor good, and leaves nature and 
custom to take their course. Now this view of these 
two methods, may serve to point out a third to us; 
which, avoiding equally the monotony of the French, 
on the one hand, and the adventitious reading tones of 
the English, on the other, should teach the art of read- 
ing, upon principles of pure and correct speaking. 



G6 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 



CHAPTER V. 



PITCH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. 



The next points I am to treat of, are the pitch and , 
management of the voice; articles of the utmost im- „ 
portance to give due force and proportion to all the \ 
others. To the being heard with satisfaction, it is ne- 
cessary that the speaker should deliver himself with , 
ease. But if he does not know how to pitch his voice j 
properly, he can never have the due management of it ; 
and his utterance will be painful to himself, and irk- j 
some to his hearers. 

Every speaker who is not corrupted by bad habit, 
has three pitches in his voice, the high, low, and mid- 
dle pitch. The middle pitch is that which is used in 
ordinary discourse, from which he either rises or falls 
accordingly as the matter of his discourse, or emotions li 
of his mind require. This middle pitch, therefore, is k 
what ought to be generally used, for two reasons ; first, $ 
because the organs of the voice are stronger, and more p 
pliable in this pitch, from constant use : and second- I) 
ly, because it is more easy to rise or fall from that ] 
pitch, to high or low, with regular proportion. 

Most persons, through want of skill and practice, i 
when they read or speak in public, fall into one of i 
the extremes. Either through timidity and diffidence Is 
they use the low pitch, in which they are not heard at 
all, or with so much trouble to the listener, as soon to io 



PITCH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. 67 

weary attention : or if they aim at avoiding this fault, 
they run into the high pitch ; which is productive of 
consequences equally bad. The organs of the voice, 
in this unusual pitch, are soon wearied, and languor 
and hoarseness ensue. And as the reason for continu- 
ing it, will be equally strong during the whole dis- 
course, as for the first setting out in it, the speaker 
must lose all the benefits which arise from variety, and 
fall into a disgusting monotony. 

The prevalence of this practice arises from a com- 
mon mistake in those who speak for the first time in a 
large room, and before a numerous auditory. They 
conclude it impossible that they should be heard in 
their common pitch of voice, and therefore change it 
to a higher. Thus they confound two very distinct 
things, making high and low, the same with loud and 
soft. Loud and soft in speaking, is like the forte and 
piano in music, it only refers to the different degrees 
of force used in the same key : whereas high and low 
imply a change of key. A man may speak louder or 
softer in the same key ; when he speaks higher or low- 
er, he changes his key. So that the business of every 
one is to proportion the force or loudness of voice, to 
the room, and number of his auditory, in its usual pitch. 
If it be larger than ordinary, he is to speak louder, 
not higher ; in bis usual key, not in a new one. And 
whoever neglects this, will never be able to manage 
his voice with ease to himself, or pleasure to his hear- 
ers. • 

It is evident that he who begins in the high pitch 
on a supposition that he could not otherwise be heard, 



68 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

must for the same reason continue in that pitch through- |j 
out. And they who set out under this delusion are apt \ 
to continue in it all their lives, having but little chance 
of being informed of their error. So that whenever 
they deliver any thing in public they of course fall 
into this unnatural key. 

This error is no where more observable than in the 
usual manner of reading Divine Service. The unnatu- 
ral pitch of voice, is the first thing that strikes every 
judicious ear, in the first sentence ttr clergyman utters, 
which is continued throughout ; nor have I heard many 
in my life who read the Service in their own proper 
pitch. The quantity of sound, necessary to fill even 
a large space, is much smaller than is generally ima- 
gined; and to the being well heard, and clearly under- 
stood, a good and distinct articulation, contributes 
more than power of voice. Possessed of that, a man 
with a weak voice, has infinite advantages over him who 
has a strong one, without it. If the voice be weak, and the 
articulation good, the attention and silence of the audi- 
tory will be proportionally greater, that they may not 
miss any thing that is said; whereas they are under 
no such apprehensions from a loud speaker. He who 
delivers himself in a moderate pitch, whenever his 
subject demands that he should rise to a higher, or 
sink to a lower, does it with ease and due proportion ; 
and produces the effects which are to-be expected 
from such change, and agreeable variety. Whilst he 
who takes a high pitch, cannot rise, upon o&asion, 
without running into discord, nor sink, with anj rule 
of proportion to guide him. They who to avoid this 



PITCH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. 69 

; fault run into the opposite extreme, and begin in a 
I lower pitch than is natural to them, err indeed on the 
i safer side, but are equally distant from the point of 
] truth. It is true it is more easy to rise gradually and 
j proportionally than to descend; but whilst they re- 
I main in that key, it will appear equally unnatural, and 
! more languid than the other. And they will be very 
apt through the body of their discourse, to run chiefly 
into that key, in which they had set out. The true, 
safe, and sure rule (unless upon extraordinary occasions 
indeed) is always to begin in your usual pitch of speak- 
ing ; if that should not prove strong enough, strength- 
en it by practice ; if there be such a natural weakness 
in the organs as that you cannot be heard in public 
assemblies in that pitch, you had better give up all 
thoughts of appearing in them ; or if your profession 
obliges you to it, you must give up all hopes of speak- 
ing gracefully, and agreeably, or even intelligibly. For 
he who is obliged to strain his voice in order to be 
heard, will scarce articulate well. The office of ar- 
ticulation is of a very delicate nature, and requires that 
the organs which perform it, should not be disturbed, 
or suffer any violence ; which must always be the case 
when the voice is pushed out upon them with uncom- 
mon force. I have known instances of persons with 
very strong voices, of whom in their utmost exertions 
of them, it has been very justly observed, that there 
was no hearing what they said, they spoke so loud ; 
for the torrent of the voice, left neither* time nor pow- 
er in the organs, to shape the words properly, but 
7* 



70 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

bore away with it clustered and uncouth masses of 
abortive syllables. 

The best rule for a speaker to observe is, never to 
utter a greater quantity of voice, than he can afford 
without pain to himself, or any extraordinary effort. 
Whilst he does this, the other organs of speech will be i 
at liberty to discharge their several offices with ease ; U 
and he will always have his voice under command, j 
But whenever he transgresses these bounds, he gives ( | 
up the reins, and has no longer any management of it. J 
And it will ever be the safest way too, to keep within i 
his compass, rather than go at any time to the utmost 
extent of it; which is a dangerous experiment, and 
never justifiable but upon some extraordinary emotion. 
For even in that case, the transgressing the limits in 
the least, (difficult as the task is for a speaker to keep 
within bounds, when under the influence of such emo- 
tion) will scarce be pardoned. For, as the judicious 
Shakspeare has well observed in his instructions to the 
player, c In the very torrent, tempest, and as I may say, h 
whirhcind of your passion, you must acquire and beget \ 
a temperance that may give it smoothness.'' For the (j 
same reason also, every speaker should take care in i 
the management of the breath, always to get a fresh \ 
supply before he feels any want of it ; for whilst he has i 
some to spare, he recruits it with such ease, that his li 
hearers are not at all sensible of his doing it. Whereas ] 
if he waits untill he is put in mind of it by any degree i 
of uneasiness, -he not only does it with more difficulty 
to himself, but he may depend upon it that his hearers i 
also have felt his uneasiness, and been sensible of his c 



PITCH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. 71 

difficulty. For so strong is the sympathy between the 
organs of speech, and those of hearing, that the least 
uneasiness in the one, is immediately perceived by the 
other. 

I shall close my observations on this head with two 
rules ; one, for giving strength and power to the voice 
in its natural pitch. The other for adjusting the pro- 
per quantity or degree of loudness in the voice, pro- 
portioned to the size of the room and the number of 
the auditory. The first rule for strengthening the voice, 
is this. Any one, who through habit, has fallen into 
a weak utterance, cannot hope suddenly to change it ; 
he must do it by degrees and constant practice. I 
would therefore recommend it to him, that he should 
daily exercise himself in reading, or repeating in the 
hearing of a friend ; and that too in a large room. At 
first his friend should stand at such a distance only as 
the speaker can easily reach, in his usual manner of 
delivering himself. Afterwards let him gradually in- 
crease his distance, and the speaker will in the same 
gradual proportion increase the force of the voice ; for 
the method of increasing by degrees is easy in this as 
in every thing else, when sudden transitions are im- 
practicable ; and every new acquisition of power, ena- 
bles you the better to go on to the next degree. When 
he shall have thus got to that distance, beyond which 
the speaker cannot be heard without straining, and 
forcing his voice, there let him stop ; and let that be 
the usual place of his standing to hear the most part of 
what is declaimed ; because when the speaker, is able 
by practice to manage his voice in that extent, he will 



72 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

certainly be able to command it in all the inferior ' 
degrees. Though for the more gradual unfolding of ' 
the organs, and regular increase of the quantity of the 
voice, it will be always right for the hearer to begin 
at each day's exercise with the shortest distance, and 
increase it by degrees till he arrives at the utmost ; in 
which situation, for the reason before assigned, the 
chief part of the exercise ought to be performed. 

The second rule for giving a proper degree of loud- 
ness, or issuing a sufficient quantity of voice propor- 
tioned to the room and the audience, which is common- 
ly called pitching the voice, is this. Let the speaker 
after having looked round the assembly, fix his eyes 
on that part of his auditory which is farthest from him, 
and he will mechanically endeavour to pitch his voice 
so as that it may reach them. This is what we con- 
stantly practise in common discourse, for we always 
proportion the loudness or softness of voice, to the dis- 
tance of the person to whom we are speaking. When the 
speaker, therefore, shall have fixed his eye upon the most : 
distant part of his audience, his business is to consider 
himself as addressing his discourse to some one amongst 
them, in such a manner as that he may be heard by 
him, and if the person be not beyond the reach of his ' 
voice, he will not fail to effect it. But still he is to 
take care not to change his usual pitch in order to do 
this, but only to add force, or degrees of loudness in 
proportion to the distance. This is what we do in " 
life when we call after any person to come back ; we 
add loudness to our voice according to the distance he 
has got from us, but we never change the key, or bawl, * 



PITCH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. 73 

till we find that he has got so far as that his ear can- 
not be reached by the natural pitch of our voice. He, 
therefore, who sets out in a higher key than is natural 
to him, in order that he may be heard by the most 
distant, may be justly said to bawl out his discourse, 
but not to deliver it. 

There is another material circumstance to be attend- 
ed to in pitching the voice, which arises from the con- 
struction of the room in which you are to speak; some 
being admirably contrived for the purpose of speaking, 
and others quite the contrary. Of course, in the former, 
a much smaller quantity of voice will do, than in the 
latter. The first object of every speaker, ought to be 
to find out whether his voice can fill the room or not ; 
and afterwards to proportion the quantity of it accord- 
ingly. By filling a room with the voice is meant, when 
there is such a quantity of it uttered, as not only will 
reach the extremities, but return also to the speaker. 
And a room may be said to be well constructed for 
speaking, when this is effected by a moderate exertion 
of a common voice. The two extremes are when 
either a room through its size, or ill construction, will 
admit of no reverberation, or when the reverberation 
is made by an echo. I shall endeavor to find out 
what is best to be done in the three cases. In the first 
case, when the speaker can fill the room with his voice, 
his business is to find out what quantity will be suffi- 
cient to do it ; that he may neither unnecessarily waste 
his voice by throwing out too much, nor diminish his 
power by using too little ; but that he may have a per- 
fect command and management of it, according to the 



74 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

different degrees of exertion, which may be required ,, 
in the different parts of his discourse. The best way 
of finding this out, will be, to begin with a moderate , 
quantity of voice, and to increase it gradually, till the ! 
speaker finds out the degree of loudness, that is neces- 
sary to fill the room ; which will be discovered to him I 
by the return of the sound to his own ear, as soon as 
he has arrived at the proper pitch. With this degree i 
or quantity of voice he is to deliver all the more forci- [ 
ble, and impassioned parts of his discourse. For 1 
though he may be distinctly heard with a smaller ex- 
ertion, yet it will not be in a manner so satisfactory to \ 
the hearer. Every speaker, therefore, in a well con- 
structed room, which is not too large for his powers, I 
may have an infallible criterion by which to judge of , 
that point, as he may be sure that he has filled the ears " 
of his auditory, when he has filled the room ; and he 
may certainly know when he has filled the room, by 
the return of his voice to his own ear. This is one of : 
the most valuable pieces of management that a public 
speaker can possess, and of which, with due attention, 
and a little practice, he may easily become master. 
This rule is on a supposition that the room is so con- r 
structed as to return the sound gently and equably, i 
without any perceptible echo. 

But in the second case where the sound is suddenly n 
reverberated by an echo, the difficulty to the speaker i 
is much increased. Nothing is more apt to mislead 
the unwary and unskilful speaker, than this circum- 
stance in a room ; for as his voice sounds much loud- 
er to himself on that account, he is apt to conclude i 
that he is the better heard ; whereas the very thing d 



PITCH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE. 75 

which adds to the loudness, destroys articulation and 
distinctness of utterance, which are essentially necessa- 
ry to the being understood. For the quick and sud- 
den reverberation of the sounds which have been utter- 
ed, makes such a jumble with those which are uttering, 
that the whole appears a confused babble, of something 
like words, indeed, but utterly unintelligible. In the 
former case, when the room is well constructed for 
speaking, the return of the voice is made in a moder- 
ate and equable manner; in the latter, it rebounds like 
a tennis-ball. In the first case, the undulation of sound 
resembles the circles made in a smooth water by the 
gentle dropping in o^a pebble, where all gradually in- 
crease in their circumference, and are regular in their 
figures: the other, resembles the motion of the water 
when a stone is dashed violently into it, where all is 
irregular and confused. Nothing can shew the igno- 
rance which prevails in the art of speaking in this age, 
in a stronger light, than this very circumstance ; for 
there have been few rooms built for the purpose of 
speaking, in which the contrivers have not endeavor- 
ed by artificial means to procure as strong an echo as 
possible, in order to assist the speaker, when it is of 
all things the greatest hindrance to him. Whoever, 
therefore, has the misfortune to be under a necessity of 
speaking in a room of that sort, has no remedy but 
this. He must lessen the quantity of his voice till he 
finds no perceptible echo. It is true this will put it 
out of his power to exert himself, but all he can hope 
for in such circumstances, is to be heard and understood ; 
energy he must wholly give up, at least it must be con- 
fined to very small degrees. 



76 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 



CHAPTER VI. 



TONES. 

Thus far, I have considered the several points, that 
are fundamentally, and essentially necessary, to every 
public speaker ; without which, he will be so far from 
making any impression on his hearers, that he will not 
be able to command their attention, nor, in many cases, 
even make himself understood. 

But when a man has got so far, as I can see no rea- 
son that he should stop there, or that he should not 
farther endeavor, to make himself master of every 
thing, which can add grace, or force to his delivery ; 
I shall now attempt to lay open the principles, that 
may serve as guides to him, in the use of the remain- 
ing articles, tones, and gesture : upon which, all that 
is pleasurable, or affecting in elocution, chiefly depends. 

Words are, by compact, the marks or symbols of' 
our ideas; and this is the utmost extent of their power. 
Did nothing pass in the mind of man, but ideas ; were 
he a different kind of being from what he is ; were he 
like the Houynhms of Swift, always directed by a 
cool, invariable, and as I may say, instinctive reason ; 
to make known the ideas of such a mind, and its inter- 
nal operations, would not be beyond the power of 
words : and a language composed of words only, pro- 
vided there were a sufficient number of them, so that 



TONES. 77 

! each idea, and each operation, might have its distinct 
I mark, would sufficiently answer the end. For this we 
| find effected amongst us, in all matters where simple 
I reason, and mere speculation is concerned, as in the 
j investigation of mathematical truths. 

But as there are other things which pass in the mind 
i of man, beside ideas ; as he is not wholly made up of 
| intellect, but on the contrary, the passions, and the 
! fancy, compose a part of his complicated frame ; as the 
j operations of these are attended with an infinite varie- 
I ty of emotions in the mind, both in kind and degree; it 
| is clear, that unless there be some means found of 
I manifesting those emotions, all that passes in the mind 
of one man cannot be communicated to another. Now, 
as in order to know what another knows, and in the 
same manner that he knows it, an exact transcript of 
the ideas which pass in the mind of one man, must be 
! made by sensible marks, in the mind of another; so in 
; order to feel what another feels, the emotions which 
are in the mind of one man, must also be communicat- 
ed to that of another, by sensible marks. 

That the sensible marks necessary to answer this 
purpose, cannot possibly be mere words, might fully 
be proved by a philosophical disquisition upon their na- 
ture, were it proper at present to enter into such an 
inquiry : but this point may be made sufficiently clear 
to answer my present design, in a shorter way. It is 
certain that we have given names to these emotions, at 
least to such as are of the strongest, and most remarka- 
ble kind, though much the greater part of them, and 
8 



78 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

the different degrees of all, remain without names, f 
But the use of these names, is not to stand as types of f 
the emotions themselves, but only as signs, of the sim- 
ple or complex ideas, which are formed of those emo- 
tions ; that we may be enabled, by the help of those 
names, to distinguish them in the understanding, and 
treat of their several natures, in the same cool manner f 
as we do with regard to other ideas, that have no con- ' 
nexion with any emotions of the mind. 

Every one will at once acknowledge that the terms ' 
anger, fear, love, hatred, pity, grief, will not excite in > 
him the sensations of those passions, and make him i 
angry or afraid, compassionate or grieved; nor, should ' 
a man declare himself to be under the influence of any ' 
of those passions, in the most explicit and strong words . 
that the language can afford, w r ould he in the least af- 
fect us, or gain any credit, if he used no other signs I 
but words. If any one should say in the same tone of 
voice that he uses in delivering indifferent propositions 
from a cool understanding, "Sure never any mortal 
was so overwhelmed with grief as I am at this present." 
Or, " My rage is roused to a pitch of frenzy, I can- 
not command it : Avoid me, be gone this moment, or \ 
I shall tear you to pieces :" surely no one would feel " 
any pity for the distress of the former, or any fear from 
the threats of the latter. We should either believe 
that he jested, or if he would be thought serious, we . 
should be moved to laughter at his absurdity. And 
why is this? but because he makes use of words only, 
as the signs of emotions, which it is impossible they 



TONES. 79 

| can represent; and omits the use of the true signs of 
I the passions, which are, tones, looks, and gestures.* 

*The classification of inflections, is the point on which most 
] of all, Walker is defective. The conviction that he was treat- 
j ing a difficult subject, led him into the very common mistake 
of attempting to make his meaning plain by prolixity of re- 
mark, and multiplicity of rules. One error of this respectable 
i writer is, that he attempts to carry the application of his prin- 
! ciples too far. To think of reducing to exact system, all the 
j inflections to be employed in the delivery of plain language, 
I when there is no emotion and no emphasis, is idle indeed, 
i Many who have attempted to follow the theory to this ex- 
I treme, perplexed with the endless list of rules which it occa- 
| sions, have become discouraged. Whereas the theory is of 
no use except in reference to the rhetorical principles of lan- 
guage, where tones express sentiment. Another fault of Walker 
is, that the elements of speaking tones are not presented in any 
intelligible method; but are so promiscuously intermingled 
throughout his work, as to give it the character of obscurity. 

The absolute modifications of the voice in speaking are 
four : namely, monotone, rising inflection, falling inflection, 
and circumflex. The first may be marked to the eye by a 
horizontal line thus, ( — ) the second thus, (' ) the third thus, 
C) the fourth thus, (~). 

The monotone is a sameness of sound on successive sylla- 
bles, which resembles that produced by repeated strokes of a 
bell. This is often appropriate in grave delivery, and espe- 
cially in acts of devotion, where emotions of reverence are 
expressed. 

The rising inflection turns the voice upward, or ends high- 
er than it begins. It is heard invariably in the direct question; 
as, will you go to day ? 

The falling inflection turns the voice downwards, or ends 
lower than it begins. It is heard in the answer to a question; 
as, No ; I shall go to-morrow. 



80 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

This will serve to shew us that the language, or sen- 
sihle marks, by which the emotions of the mind are ( 
discovered, and communicated from man to man, are } 

The circumflex is a union of the two inflections, sometimes 
on one syllable, and sometimes on several. It begins with the \ 
falling and ends with the rising slide. 

In " Porter's Analysis" from which this note is substantial- 1 
ly taken, many examples of these two simple slides of the •[ 
voice on which the whole doctrine of inflections depends, are j 
given — it will be sufficient for our object to select a few un- I 
der each. 

Shall I come to you with a rod — or in lov'e ? 

The baptism of John, was it from heaven — or of men ? 

Is this book yours — or mine ? 

Are they Hebrews ? So am *I 

Are they the seed of A'braham ? So am V I. 

Are they ministers of Christ ? I am more. 

The circumflex occurs chiefly where the language is hypo- 
thetical or ironical. 

Though he will not rise and give him because he is his 
friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give 
him as many as he needeth. 

I may go to-morrow, though I cannot go to-day. 

They tell us to be moderate ; but they, they, are to revel in 
profusion. 

But any fixed system of rules and directions which we may 
adopt in relation to this subject, must necessarily be imper- 
fect; for, as Whately justly remarks f - although the emphatic ' 
word in each sentence may easily be pointed out in writing, 
no variety of marks, that could be invented, — not even musi- 
cal notation, — would suffice to indicate the different tones in 
which the different emphatic words should be pronounced ; ' 
though on this depends frequently the whole force, and even 
sense of the expression. Take, as an instance, the following 



TONES. gl 

entirely different from words, and independent of them. 
Nor was this kind of language left to the invention of 
man, or to the chance of such arbitrary marks, as he 
should think proper to affix to the passions, in order 
to characterize them : no, it was necessary to society, 
and to the state of human nature in general, that the 
language of the animal passions of man at least, should 
be fixed, self-evident, and universally intelligible; and 
it has accordingly been impressed, by the unerring 
hand of nature, on the human frame. The improve- 
ment and exercise of the intellectual faculties, to any 



passage, (Mark. iv. 21.) "Is a candle brought to be put under 

, a bushel, or under a bed. 1 ' That I have heard so pronounced 

j as to imply that there is no other alternative: and yet the em- 

j phasis was laid on the right words. It would be nearly as 

I hopeless a task to attempt adequately to convey, by any writ- 

! ten marks, precise directions as to the rate, — the degree of 

rapidity or slowness, — with which each sentence and clause 

should be delivered. Longer and shorter pauses may indeed 

be easily denoted ; and marks may be used, similar to those 

in music, to indicate, generally, quick, slow, or moderate time; 

but it is evident that the variations which actually take place, 

are infinite — far beyond what any marks could suggest; and 

that much of the force of what is said depends on the degree 

of rapidity with which it is uttered; chiefly on the relative 

rapidity of one part in comparison of another: for instance, 

in such a sentence as the following, in one of the Psalms, 

which one may usually hear read at one uniform rate ; " all 

men that see it shall say, this hath God done ; for they shall 

perceive that it is his work ;" the four words " this hath God 

i done," though monosyllables, ought to occupy very little less 

! time in utterance than all the rest of the verse together." — Ed. 

8* 



32 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

eminent degree, could fall to the lot of but a small por- , 
tion of mankind ; as even the necessaries for the sup- i 
port of life, cannot be acquired by much the greater j 
part, but by such constant labour and industry as will 
afford no time for contemplative studies. But though , 
it be not necessary to society, that all men should 
know much ; it is necessary that they should feel much, ; 
and have a mutual sympathy, in whatever affects their ■ 
fellow creatures. All affections, therefore, and emo- ,i 
tions, belonging to man in his animal state, are so 
distinctly characterized, by certain marks, that they j 
cannot be mistaken ; and this language of the passions, It 
carries with it the stamp of its almighty Artificer; ut- 
terly unlike the poor workmanship of imperfect man, 
as it is not only understood by all the different nations : 
of the world, without pains or study; but excites alsoi 
similar emotions, or corresponding effects, in all minds 
alike. 

Thus, the tones expressive of sorrow, lamentation, 
mirth, joy, hatred, anger, love, pity, &c. are the same 
in all nations, and consequently can excite emotions in < 
us analogous to those passions, when accompanying 
words which we do not understand. Nay, the very i 
tones themselves, independent of words, will produce 
the same effects, as has been amply proved by the 
power of musical imitations. And though these tones, ii 
are usually accompanied with words, in order that the 
understanding may at the same time perceive the cause i 
of these emotions, by a communication of the particu- 1 
lar ideas which excite them; yet that the whole energy, i 
or power of exciting analogous emotions in others, lies ' 



TONES. 83 

in the tones themselves, may be known from this ; that 
whenever the force of these passions is extreme, words 
give place to inarticulate sounds : sighs and murmurings, 
in love; sobs, groans, and cries in grief; half choked 
sounds in rage ; and shrieks in terror, are then the only- 
language heard. And the experience of mankind may 
be appealed to, whether these have not more power in 
exciting sympathy, than any thing that can be done by 
mere words. 

Nor has this language of the passions been confined 
to man only ; for in that respect, he seems to be includ- 
ed in the general law given to all animals that are not 
mute, or wholly incapable of uttering any sound; as 
they also express their passions by certain tones, which 
striking the auditory nerves of those of the same spe- 
cies, always produce correspondent effects ; inasmuch 
as their kindred organs, are invariably tuned by the 
hand of nature, in unison with those sounds. 

But it is to be observed, that each species of animals, 
seems to have a language of its own, not at all under- 
stood, or felt by the rest. The lowing of the cow 
affects not the lamb; nor does the calf regard the 
bleating of the sheep. The neighing of the steed, 
calls up all the attention of the horse-kind; they gaze 
towards the place from whence the sound comes, and 
answer it, or run that way, if the steed be not in view ; 
whilst the cows and sheep raise not their heads from 
the ground, but continue to feed, utterly unmoved. 
The organs of hearing in each species, are tuned only 
to the sounds of their own ; and whilst the roaring of 
the lioness, makes the forest tremble, it is the sweetest 



84 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

music to the ears of her young. This shews us, w 
that the auditory nerves of animals are constructed in i 
such a way, as to be affected only with such sounds ij 
as immediately regard the two chief ends of their be- f 
ing; the propagation and preservation of their species : ; 
all other sounds, therefore, excepting such as excite 
sympathy or antipathy, are indifferent to them. Sym- j 
pathy, with those of their own kind ; antipathy, against j 
such as are their natural enemies, or destructive of j 
their species. Those which excite sympathy, may be c 
supposed to be all in concord ; those which rouse an 
tipathy, to be discords; which, by creating an uneasy ; 
sensation, immediately dispose them to flight, to avoid a 
the enemy. Thus the cry of dogs, warns the hare i 
of his danger : and the howlings of the wolf, alarm the s 
flock. The different species of animals may, there 
fore, be considered as so many different nations, speak- k 
ing different languages, that have no commerce with 
each other ; each of which, consequently, understands 
none but their own ; excepting only those who are in ii 
a state of warfare, by whom the language of the ene 
my is sufficiently understood for the purpose of self 1 
preservation. 

As the passions and emotions of the several kinds 
of animals, are very different, according to their differ- 
ent natures, so is there an equal diversity of tones, by 
which these several passions and emotions are express- 
ed ; from the horrible roarings of the lion, to the gen- 
tle bleatings of the lamb : from the loud bellowings of 
the wild bull, to the low purring of the domestic cat. 
But as there is no passion or emotion whatsoever, in - 



TONES 85 

the whole animal world, which is not to be found in 
| man, so equally comprehensive is the language of his 
i passions, which are all manifested by suitable tones. 
The roaring of the lion, is not more terrible than the 
I voice of his anger; nor the cooings of the pigeon, more 
soft, than the murmurs of his love. The crowing of 
| the morning cock, is not so clear and sprightly as the 
i notes of his joy, nor the melancholy mournings of the 
I turtle, so plaintive as those of his wo. The organs 
I of hearing, therefore, in man, are so constructed, as not 
! to be indifferent to any kind of tone, either in his own 
'■ species, or in the animal world, that is expressive of 
! emotion or passion : from all, they receive either plea- 
sure or pain, as they are affected with sympathy or 
: antipathy. It is true that like the several tribes of 
| animals, man is most affected, or has the strongest 
! sympathy excited, by such tones as are uttered by those 
' of his own species ; and in proportion, also, by those 
; which most nearly resemble them in others. We are 
j moved most by the distressful cries of those animals 
I that have any similitude to the human voice, such as 
the fawn, and the hare, when seized in the chase, by dogs. 
But still we both feel and understand the nature of all 
others. Nor can any animal utter any sound which 
we cannot explain, or tell from what emotion or pas- 
sion it proceeds. This distinguishing faculty was ne- 
cessary to man as master of the animal race, that by 
understanding their several languages, he might relieve 
their distresses, and supply their wants. And indeed, 
we find, that the tones of all domestic animals, expres- 
sive of their wants or distresses, have a wonderful 



S6 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

power over the human heart, and mechanically rouse 
us to their relief. i 

Thus extensive as are the powers of the human ear, u 
those of the human voice, do not fall short of them ; i 
but are exactly suited to them in degree and compre- i 
hension ; there is no tone which the ear can distinguish, ) 
that the voice, by pains and practice, is not capable \ 
of uttering. Hence it comes to pass, that as man un- - 
derstands the language of the different tribes of animals, \ 
so he can make himself understood by them. The 
horse rejoices in the applauding tones of his rider's j 
voice, and trembles when he changes them to those of ( 
anger. What blandishments do we see in the dog , 
when his master sooths him by kind notes ; what fear, 
and even shame, when he changes them to those of 
chiding ? By those the waggoner directs his team, and ,. 

the herdsman his flock. Even animals of the most L 

l 

savage nature, are notproof against the collective powers 
of the human voice ; and the shouts of multitudes, will 
put wild beasts to flight, who can hear without emotion 
the roarings of the thunder. ■, 

But that man should be furnished with such an ex- . 

f. 

tensive power in these points, even in his animal state, 
will appear reasonable, when we consider that his na- i| 
ture, is an abstract of all animal nature ; and that in j 
his tribe are to be found, all the emotions and passions, , 
that belong to all the several tribes. Consequently, all 
the marks expressive of those emotions, or such as 
are similar to them, should belong to that tribe. If 
man is capable of being the most social, the most f 
tender and affectionate to those of his own species, r 



TONES. 87 

of any animal; he is at the same time, capable of 
becoming a greater enemy, and of having a stronger 
hatred and detestation of them, than is to be found 
even amongst the different tribes of animals, that 
are born in a natural state of enmity. All the na- 
tural language therefore of sympathy, and antipathy, 
should be given to him in a higher degree, for the 
same reason that it is in a more limited state assigned 
to the several tribes of animals. 

Thus far we find, that man, in his animal capacity, 
is furnished, like all other animals, by nature herself, 
with a language which requires neither study, art, nor 
imitation ; which spontaneously breaks out in the ex- 
actest expressions, nicely proportioned to the degrees 
of his inward emotions ; and which is not only univer- 
sally understood, but felt, by those of the same species, 
as also, in certain degrees, by the rest of the animal 
world. That animals should come perfect from the 
hand of nature, in this respeet, as well as in every thing 
else, seems reasonable, from this consideration, that 
they are utterly incapable of improving themselves, or 
of making any alteration in their frames, by their own 
care or pains ; their several faculties, by an invariable 
law, growing to perfection, and decaying with their 
bodies, with as little assistance from themselves, as 
vegetation in herbs or trees is produced in the insen- 
sitive world. Nature has not been less provident with 
regard to man, as the first of animals; on the con- 
trary this, as well as all his other animal faculties, is 
bestowed on him in a degree suitable to the superiority 
of his rank. But as man is something greater than the 



88 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

first of animals; as he is the link between animal and 
spiritual beings, and partakes of both their natures ; 
other faculties, and other principles, belonging to his 
nobler, spiritual part, disclose themselves ; of which * 
there are no traces in the animal world. ] 

The first great distinction between the human and s 
animal species, and which seems to mark their boun- 
daries, is this: that it is in the power of man, by his . 
own pains and industry, to forward the perfection of L 
his nature. And what the nobler part of his nature is, 
is clearly pointed out by that distinction ; because it 
is that nobler part only, or such of his animal faculties, 
as are necessary to forward the perfection of that no- 
bler part, which are capable of improvement by such 
pains. All the organs and faculties of his body neces- 
sary to his animal life, are so fashioned by the hand of; 
nature, that they grow of course to perfection ; but the 
organs (if I may be allowed the expression) and facul- 
ties of his mind, necessary to his rational life, are only 
in embryo; and it depends wholly upon the assistance k 
of others, together with his own care, to give them 
birth, and bring them to maturity. 

Hence arises the necessity of a social state to man,: 
both for the unfolding, and exerting of his nobler facul-,J 
ties. For this purpose, a power of opening a commu- [ 
nication between mind and mind, was furnished in the 
most easy way, by bestowing on him the organs oft 
speech. But still we are to observe, that nature did 
no more than furnish the power and means ; she did 
not give the language, as in the case of the passions, 
but left it to the industry of men, to find out, and agree r 



TONES. 89 

upon such articulate sounds, as they should choose to 
make the symbols of their ideas. And she seems to 
have laid down the same general law, with respect to 
erery thing which regarded the nobler part of man ; 
to furnish nothing but what was absolutely necessary, 
and leave the rest to his own industry, from the ex- 
ertion of which, his merit was to arise, and his preten- 
sions to stand a candidate for admission into a high- 
er, and happier order of beings. Accordingly as 
she did not furnish the words, which were to be the 
symbols of his ideas ; neither did she furnish the tones, 
which were to manifest, and communicate by their 
own virtue, the internal exertions and emotions, of such 
of his nobler faculties, as chiefly distinguish him from 
the brute species ; but left them also, like words, to 
the care and invention of man ; contenting herself with 
supplying him with an instrument, of such a compass 
as would furnish a sufficient variety of emotions, exer- 
tions, and energies of all his faculties, if sought for, 
and settled by agreement, to be their marks. Nor has 
art found those which are of her invention to be of less 
efficacy, or less capable of exciting correspondent 
emotions, than those even of nature, when established 
by custom; in this case justly called second nature. 
The only difference between them lying in this, that the 
tones of the animal passions, of themselves excite analo- 
gous emotions, without the intervention of any thing else ; 
they are understood, by being felt. But the tones re- 
sulting from the emotions and exertions of our nobler 
faculties, though they excite feeling, as it is in the na- 
ture of all tones to do so, yet it is only of a vague and 
9 



90 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

indeterminate nature; not corresponding to the ener- i 
gies in the mind of the speaker, unless they are asso- i 
ciated with words, or the symbols of the ideas which I 
give rise to those energies and emotions ; their nature i 
and degree then become fixed, and the hearer both \ 
feels and understands them. When any tones, therefore, \ 
are affixed to certain modes of expression, and adopt- 
ed into general use ; those tones, though they have no i 
natural connexion with the sentiment, no more than 
Words have with ideas; yet by such association, be- I 
come equally intelligible, and equally affecting with i 
those that have, and are made part of the language ; r 
insomuch, that were those expressions to be uttered, f 
without those tones, they would not convey their full i 
meaning. t 

Thus far I have considered tones, chiefly in contra- 3 
distinction to words, as the types and language of the i 
passions, and all internal emotions, in the same way as . 
articulate sounds, are the types and language of ideas, ■: 
independent of any such emotions. But when we come i 
to examine the powers of each in their full extent, we I 
shall find, that though words are limited to their pecu- d 
liar office, and never can supply the place of tones ; f 
yet tones, on the other hand, are not confined to their i 
province, but often supply the place of words, as marks p 
of ideas. And though the ease and distinctness with I 
which our ideas are marked by articulate sounds, has x 
made all mankind agree to use them in discourse, yet < 
that tones are capable in a great measure of supplying 3 
their place, is clear from this; that the Chinese Ian- > 
guage is chiefly made up of tones, and the same indi- 



TONES. 91 

vidual word shall have sixty different meanings, accord- 
! ing to the different tones in which it is pronounced. 
j Here, then, it is clear, that fifty nine of the sixty ideas, 
are marked by tones ; for the same individual word, 
j pronounced exactly in the same manner, cannot pos- 
sibly by itself, be a clear and distinct mark, for more 
j than one idea. This indeed has prodigiously increas- 
I ed the difficulty of their language, so that it is scarce- 
j ly possible for strangers to acquire it ; and it is the 
i labour of a man's life, even among the natives, to 
| make himself fully master of it. Such a use of the 
! tones therefore, in equal extent, has not been adopted 
' by any other nation. But there are none which have 
it not in some degree. It is true these tones amongst 
us, are not annexed to words in their separate state, 
but only when they are ranged in sentences ; and he 
must be very ignorant of speech, who does not know, 
that the same individual words in a sentence, shall have 
several very different meanings according to the tones 
which accompany the emphasis. To the use of these 
tones, is owing, in a great measure, conciseness of dis- 
course; and the necessity of multiplying words in a 
language, to a degree that might make them burthen- 
some to the memory, is removed. Nor are these the 
only advantages arising to language from tones ; for 
by thus setting off words by tones, and making them 
determine their meaning, an agreeable variety may be 
introduced into the most abstracted and philosophical 
discourses, in which there is no room for the language 
of the passions and emotions ; and which, consequently, 
must occasion disgust, and soon weary attention, if de- 



92 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

livered by the use of mere words, in one dull uniform 
tone. On the same account it is fortunate, that tones 
have also been made the marks of the several pauses; a 
and the links which unite together, the several mem- I 
bers of sentences and periods. 

But beside the use of tones in the exertion of his 
animal and intellectual faculties, there is another part I 
of man's nature which seems to be the link that joins t 
the other two, a great part of whose exertions, have b 
their very essence, so far as they are communicated 3 
by the voice, in tones; I mean the fancy. — To one 
branch of this part of his frame, nature herself has 
furnished matter for a language, different in its' kind 
from all other, and peculiar to man ; I mean, risibility; 
and this matter, according to the exertions of fancy, t 
is to be modified into an infinity of shapes. There is 
a laugh of joy, and a laugh of ridicule; there is a laugh : 
of anger, and a laugh of contempt. Nay there are few of 
our passions, to which fancy cannot adapt, and associate 
this language. And should we trace it through all its se- 
veral modifications and degrees, from the loud burst of 
joy, to the tones belonging to the dry sneer of contempt; 
we should find, that an extensive, and expressive Ian- 3 
guage, independent of words, belongs to this faculty h 
alone. Let any one who has been present at a well acted ) 
comedy, only reflect, how very different the sentiments, i 
characters, and humour have appeared, in the repre- 
sentation, from what was conveyed to him by the mere 
perusal of the words in his closet, and he will need no f 
other proof to shew him how necessary, and how ex- 
tensive a part, the tones make, of the language of fancy. : 



TONES. 93 

From what has been said, it will sufficiently appear, 

i how grossly they are mistaken, who think that nothing 

i is essentially necessary to language, but words ; and 

: that it is no matter, in what tones their sentiments are 

uttered, or whether there be any used, so that the 

words are but distinctly pronounced, and with such 

| force of voice as to be clearly heard. For it must 

I be allowed, that the use of language is not merely to 

| communicate ideas, but also all the internal operations, 

I emotions, and exertions, of the intellectual, sensitive, 

! and imaginative faculties of man: It must also be al- 

1 lowed, that from the frame of our language, our very 

1 ideas cannot be communicated, nor consequently our 

meaning understood, without the right use of tones ; as 

J many of our ideas are marked and distinguished from 

j each other by tones, and not words. It must further 

| be admitted, that the connexion or repugnance of our 

ideas, their relationship or disagreement, and various 

i dependence on each other in sentences, are chiefly 

pointed out by tones belonging to the several pauses. 

When, therefore, we reflect, that not only every thing 

which is pleasurable, every thing which is forcible and 

affecting in utterance, but also the most material point 

necessary to a full and distinct comprehension of 

"the sense of what is uttered, depends upon tones; it 

may well astonish us to think, that so essential a part 

of language, should in a civilized country be wholly 

neglected. Nay worse, that our youth should not only 

be uninstructed in the true use of these, but in the little 

art that is used, they should be early perverted by false 

rules, utterly repugnant to those which nature has 
9* 



94 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

clearly pointed out to us. In consequence of which, 
all the noble ends which might be answered in a free 
state, by a clear, lively, and affecting public elocution, 
are in a great measure lost to us. And how can it be 
otherwise, when we have given up the vivifying, ener- 
getic language, stamped by God himself upon our na- 
ture, for that which is the cold, lifeless work of art, t 
and invention of man ? and bartered that which can j 
penetrate the inmost recesses of the heart, for one L 
which dies in the ear, or fades on the sight. 

I should now proceed to lay down some practical 
rules and observations, with regard to this material ar- , 
ticle, but that there is another branch of language so 
nearly connected with this, that all rules in regard to 
the one, have a necessary relation to the other ; and 
therefore it will be both the shortest, and clearest 
method, to place them together in view. The branch 
which I mean, is that part of language which is mani- 
fested to sight, by the expression of the countenance 
and gesture : of which I shall treat in the next chapter. 



GESTURE. 95 

CHAPTER VII. 



GESTURE. 

| As nature has annexed tones to the passions, to make 
| their exertions known through the ear; so has she as- 
j sociated to them looks and gestures, to manifest them 
| to the eye. The one, may be justly called the speech, 
I the other, the hand-writing of nature. And her hand- 
writing, like her speech, carries evident marks with it, 
of its divine original; as it corresponds exactly to its 
archetype, and is therefore universally legible, with- 
out pains or study ; and as it contains in itself a power, 
of exciting similar, or analogous emotions. Not like 
the writing of man, which having no affinity with its 
archetype, can be understood only by pains and labor; 
and containing no virtue of its own, can of itself, com- 
municate no emotion. 

Nor is the written language of nature less expressive, 
or less copious, than her speech. They seem nicely 
suited to each other, in degree and power; in their 
effects exactly similar, having no other difference, but 
what arises from the difference of the organs, through 
which they are conveyed. As every passion has its 
peculiar tone, so has it, its peculiar look or gesture. 
And in each, the several degrees are marked, with the 
nicest exactness. Both indeed proceeding from the 
touching of one master-string, internal feeling, must 
always answer to each other, if I may so speak, in 



96 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

perfect unison. Thus far they are equal in point of ex- 
pression, and with respect to copiousness; as it has 
been before observed, that the human voice is furnish- 
ed with an infinite variety of tones, suitable to the in- 
finite variety of emotions in the mind ; so are the hu- 
man countenance and limbs, capable of an infinite 
variety of changes, suitable to the tones ; or rather to 
the emotions, whence they both take their rise. To 
this purpose every nobler organ in man's complicated t 
frame, and the whole animal economy contribute. The 
muscles, nerves, the blood and animal spirits, all are li 
at work to shew internal commotion. The contraction 
or remission of the solids, shewn by courageous exer- *. 
tion of action, or pusillanimous trembling ; the rushing 
or withdrawing of the fluids, seen in blushing or pale- 
ness ; are strong and self-evident characters. But of y 
all the organs, the eye, rightly called the window of jt 
the soul, contains the greatest variety, as well as dis- \ 
tinction and force of characters. In rage it is inflamed, fi 
in fear it sickens; it sparkles in joy, in distress it is ; 
clouded. Nature has indeed annexed to the passions | 
of grief, a more forcible character than any other, that 
of tears ; of all parts of language, the most expressive. \ 
And justly was this extraordinary sign of passion, an- 
nexed to the nature of man ; the child of sorrow, and 
inhabitant of the vale of wo: not only to ease the 
burthened heart, but more powerfully to excite his fel- 
low creatures to pity, and to relieve his distress. Thus, 
at once affording balm to the afflicted, and inciting i 
mankind to the exercise of their noblest quality, be 
nevolence. On which account, this single character, 



GESTURE. 97 

j sums up in it the whole power of language ; and in 
j certain circumstances, has more force alone, than all 
| the united endeavors, of words, tones, and gestures, 
' can come up to. Such were the precious drops that 
! fell from Milton's Eve, which Adam kissed away ; as 

gracious signs of sweet remorse, 
And pious awe, that feared to have offended. 

But though in this written language of nature, she 
has given such forcible, and distinct characters, to all 
the animal passions of man, and proportionally to such 
as have a near affinity to them, or are blended with 
jthem; yet she has laid down the same law, with re- 
gard to the visible signs of the exertions and emotions 
of all his nobler faculties, as she has done with regard 
to the tones. In both she has furnished the means 
with equal liberality; but has left it to the invention 
and care of man, to make a right use of them, and ap- 
ply them in suitable degrees. By the exertion of such 
skill and pains, it would be found that the visible lan- 
guage alone, which can he shewn in the features and 
limbs of man, is of itself sufficient, without other aid, 
to every purpose of social communication. To in- 
stance only in two articles, the eyes, and hands ; what 
inward emotion is there which cannot be manifested 
by these? Do not the eyes discover humility, pride, 
cruelty, compassion, reflection, dissipation, kindness, 
resentment ? Is there an emotion of fancy, is there a 
shade of ridicule, which they cannot represent ? Let 
any one who has seen Mr. Garrick perform, consider 
how much he was indebted to the language of his eyes, 
and there will be no occasion to say more, to give him 



98 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

an idea of the extent and power of expression, to which i 
that language may be brought. 

With respect to the power of the hands, every one 
knows that with them, we can demand, or promise; 
call, dismiss; threaten, supplicate; ask, deny; shew 
joy, sorrow, detestation, fear, confession, penitence, I 
admiration, respect; and many other things now in 
common use. But how much farther their powers! 
might be carried, through our neglect of using them ' 
we little know. And indeed the extensiveness of this i 
visible language, would scarce gain credit with us, ] 
notwithstanding all the accounts of it handed down : 
from antiquity, particularly with respect to the mutes, i 
had we not instances of natural deaf mutes, now living, i 
who have been compelled to the study and practice of ) 
this language, through the misfortune of having been 
born without the sense of hearing. 

Having sufficiently shewn the force and extent of 
this language of nature, and the absolute necessity of it 
to man, in order to the exertion, exercise, and mani- 
festation of all his nobler faculties, it may justly excite li 
wonder to reflect, that it has been in general so little 
cultivated ; and that history furnishes us with an ac- 
count, but of two nations, out of the great variety that u 
have inhabited this peopled globe since the creation, li 
that ever applied themselves to the regular study and li 
practice of it, so as to bring it to perfection. And > 
these were the Greeks and Romans ; who raised them- ; 
selves to such an height above the rest of mankind, that i 
when we examine their history, survey their mighty 5 
works, and compare them with those of other nations, 1 



GESTURE. 99 

! their proportion to the rest of the world, seems to be 
that of the Brobdignags to the Lilliputians. 

It is true that, in some other countries, this language 
i of signs, has in some degree prevailed ; but the differ- 
ence between the ancients and moderns, lies in this ; 
that the ancients founded all their instituted signs, 
on nature ; from her they drew all their stores ; fitted 
I them in the nicest and exactest manner to the emotions 
. which they were to express ; and adapted them so to 
! their artificial language, that their whole delivery 
: formed the most complete harmony : the words, tones, 
I looks, and gestures, corresponding to each other, in 
I such a way, as that each contributed to enforce and 
I adorn the other ; and their united efforts exhibited the 
sentiments of the mind, in their full proportion and 
beauty. So that all mankind who saw and heard them, 
were charmed with the manner of their delivery, 
though they understood not their speech ; and partook 
I of their emotions, even without any communication of 
i their ideas. But amongst the moderns, the instituted 
signs of tones, gesture, &c. were not founded on na- 
ture, but caprice and fancy : and obtained their whole 
force from fashion and custom. Consequently, they 
had neither meaning, nor beauty to any but the natives 
of each country, and were totally different from each 
other in the several countries ; which is sufficiently 
known by all, who are conversant with the natives of 
France, Spain, and Italy. But of all nations in the 
world, the English seem to have the least use of this 
language of signs ; there being few instituted signs of 
| emotions, either of tones, looks, or gestures, that are 



100 LESSONS ON FXOCUTION. 

adopted into general use. On the contrary, each indi- r 
vidual, either follows his own fancy in this respect, 
and has what is called a way of his own; or else adopts 
the manner of some other, who pleases his fancy, and L 
of whom he is altogether a mimic. 

From what has been said, it is apparent that no gene- f 
ral practical rules, I mean such as would be of any 1 
efficacy, can be laid down in this respect. For gene-' 1 
ral practical rules must be founded on general practice; 
and as there is no such standard, in this country, toj 
refer to, it would be in vain to lay down such rules, as 
cannot be explained and enforced by examples. In 
some points, that demand practice, as well as specula- 
tion, the practical part must be obtained by the imita- 1 
tion of patterns, and continual exercise in that way,' 
till the imitation becomes perfect, and passes into a 
habit. But where there are no general models to be 
copied from, there can be no general practice, found- 
ed on imitation. In Greece and Rome, all the public 1 
speakers, agreeing as much in the use of the same signs, 
or language of nature, as they did in the use of the 1 
same words, or language of art; afforded general, con- ; 
stant, and sure patterns of imitation to others. In 1 
France, Italy, and Spain, as in each country, there is 
an uniform, steady use of the same signs, though in af 1 
more confined way, yet so far they also afford sure 
patterns of imitation. But in our own country, where 
there are scarce any traces of a general agreement in the' 
use of such signs, there can be no observations drawn 
from general practice, no rules laid down that require' 
explanation by examples, and no manner recommended, 



GESTURE. 101 

which demands the aid of patterns. In this case, all 
that can be done is, to lay down such rules to indi- 
viduals, as shall enable them to avoid faults, not acquire 
beauties. It is in the power of rules to compass the 
former, the latter cannot be obtained without models 
and practice. I say cannot be obtained ; for to some, 
nature has been uncommonly bountiful; and in those 
who have had the good fortune to escape ill habits, a 
native grace will appear, beyond what could be ac- 
quired by art alone; but of this the instances are rare. 
If instances of such extraordinary gifts are few, much 
fewer are the examples of such as have not been cor- 

i rupted by custom. And indeed when these gifts are 

I bestowed in the most eminent degree, they are capa- 
ble of great improvement . by art ; so that industry is 
equally useful, if not equally necessary to all. 

It has been already observed, that as there is no 
common standard to be referred to, no general models 

(for imitation, in the use of tones and gesture; each in- 
dividual, either forms a manner peculiar to himself, or 
adopts that of some other, that strikes his fancy. Of 
these two ways, there can be no doubt which a man 
should follow. He that forms to himself a manner of 
his own, will probably acquire such a one as will be 
most consonant to his own powers and his own feel- 
ings. The very ease with which he falls into this, 
and the difficulty, as well as absurdity, of putting any 
constraint upon his nature, and forcing his organs, 
where he has no object of imitation in view, will of 

c course accomplish this point. But he who endeavors 
to adopt the manner of another, loses sight of his own 
10 



102 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

nature, and puts a constraint upon his organs. For 
men do not differ more from each other in their faces, 
than they do in their powers of delivery. And the 
same manner which is easy and agreeable in one man, 
becomes constrained and disgusting, when assumed by 
another. The reason is, that all constraint upon na- 
ture is instantly perceived, as it produces affectation, 
and of course destroys true feeling ; for it is as impos- 
sible, where affectation takes place in the manner of 
delivery, or in the signs of inward emotions, that the 
feelings of the heart should be excited, as that two ' 
musical strings, not in unison, should vibrate to each 
other, when one only is struck. Fantastical emotions 
will produce fantastical signs, and fantastical signs, by 
reaction, will produce fantastical emotions. Both, hav- 
ing their rise in the imagination, may operate upon 
the fancy, and produce effects there, but never can ' 
reach the heart; as all communication between them ' 
is necessarily cut off by affectation. Thus the fan- 
cied operations of the spirit, in the people called Qua- : 
kers, manifested by the most unnatural signs; and in 
some other religious sects, by a certain cant, and ex- 
travagant gestures, produce powerful effects on the J j 
imaginations of such hearers as are bred up in the 
persuasion that such signs are the language of the 
spirit: But it must be evident, upon observing both 
the preachers and their auditory, that it is only the 
imagination which is so wrought upon ; as there is no I 
discovering in their countenances any signs which are 
the natural concomitants of the feelings of the heart. ' 



GESTURE. . 103 

This sort of language of emotions, therefore, is well 
calculated to make enthusiasts, but not believers. 

In such a situation of things, the rule by which all 
public speakers are to guide themselves is obvious and 
easy. Let each, in the first place, avoid all imitation 
of others; let him give up all pretensions to art, for it 
is certain that it is better to have none, than not enough; 
and no man has enough, who has not arrived at such a 
perfection of art, as wholly to conceal his art ; a thing 
not to be compassed but by the united endeavors of 
the best instruction, perfect patterns, and constant prac- 
tice. Let him forget that he ever learned to read ; at 
least, let him wholly forget his reading tones. Let 
him speak entirely from his feelings ; and they will 
find much truer signs to manifest themselves by, than 
he could find for them. Let him always have in view 
what the chief end of speaking is ; and he will see the 
necessity of the means proposed to answer the end. 
The chief end of all public speakers is to persuade ; 
and in order to persuade, it is above all things neces- 
sary, that the speaker should at least appear, himself 
to believe what he utters ; but this can never be the 
case, where there are any evident marks of affectation, 
or art. On the contrary, when a man delivers himself 
in his usual manner, and with the same tones and ges- 
ture that he is accustomed to use when he speaks 
from his heart ; however awkward that manner may be, 
however ill-regulated the tones, he will still have the 
advantage of being thought sincere ; which, of all others, 
is the most necessary article towards securing atten- 



1Q4 .LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

tion and belief; as affectation of any kind, is the sur- 7 
est way to destroy both. y 

In elocution, the two great articles are, force, and , 
grace ; the one has its foundation chiefly in nature, the \ 
other in art. When united, they mutually support each 
other; when separated, their powers are very differ- 
ent. Nature can do much without art; art but little 
without nature. Nature, assaults the heart ; art, plays 
upon the fancy. Force of speaking, will produce 
emotion and conviction; grace, only excites pleasure } 
and admiration. As the one is the primary, and the |j 
other but a secondary end of speech, it is evident, that j, 
where one or the other is wholly to take place, the B 
former should have the preference. Grace in elocu- 
tion, is very difficult to attain in the present state jj 
of things. Force of delivery, is the necessary result 
of a clear head, and warm heart; provided no bad L 
habits interfere, and the speaker suffers his manner to b 
be regulated wholly by his feelings and conceptions. , 

This point being allowed, it is evidently in the pow- 
er of every one, to deliver himself with such force, 
and acquire such a reputation for speaking, as he is en- 
titled to by his natural talents. There are few public j. 
speakers who have not two kinds of delivery ; one for 
public, the other for private use. The one, artificial [ 
and constrained; the other, natural and easy. There j, 
is, therefore, nothing more required, than to change onei 
manner for another; to unlearn the former, and substi- , 
tute the latter in its room ; of which, each individual 
is already master. Had he indeed a new manner to 
acquire, as well as to get rid of the old, the difficulty 






GESTURE. 105 

would be great; but when he has only to unlearn a 
bad habit, and has another ready to substitute in its 
j room, it requires nothing but attention, and regular in- 
1 formation of his errors, when he falls into them. 

I know the objection ready to be started against this 
i method is, what has been already mentioned, that if 
I every one follows his own manner, the faults belonging 
I to that manner, must of course accompany his delivery. 
'Tis granted ; and it were to be wished, that a way were 
i opened by which speakers might be cured of all faults, 
| in all the parts of delivery ; but as this is impossible, 
| without the aid of masters ; and since through want of 
I masters, faults there must be; the question is, whether a 
j person should take up with his own, or those of another ? 
A man's own faults, sit easy on him ; habit has given them 
the air of being natural; those of another, are not assum- 
ed without awkwardness, they are evidently artificial. 
Where truth is concerned, the very faults of a speaker, 
I which seem natural, are more agreeable to the hearer 
than such beauties as are apparently borrowed ; in the 
same manner as the most indifferent natural complexion, 
is preferred by those whose taste is not corrupted, to 
the finest painted skin. It is often seen, that the mo- 
tions and address of a man awkwardly formed, appear 
more graceful, on account of their ease, than those of 
the best shaped, who ape the manner of others, and 
who shew an evident attention to their deportment; for 
that must always be the case of copyists. 

The office of a public speaker is, to instruct, to 
please, and to move. If he does not instruct, his dis- 
course is impertinent; and if he does not please, he 
10* 



106 LESSONS ON ELOCUTION. 

will not have it in his power to instruct, for he will 
not gain attention ; and if he does not move, he will 
not please, for where there is no emotion, there can 
be no pleasure. To move, therefore, should be the 
first great object of every public speaker ; and for this 
purpose, he must use the language of emotions, not 
that of ideas alone, which of itself has no power of 
moving. It is evident, in the use of the language of 
emotions, that he who is properly moved, and at the 
same time delivers himself in such tones as delight 
the ear with their harmony, accompanied by such 
looks and gestures as please the eye with their grace, 
whilst the understanding also perceives their proprie- 
ty; is in the first class, and must be accounted a mas- 
ter. In this case, the united endeavors of art and nature 
produce that degree of perfection which is in no other 
way to be obtained in any thing that is the workmanship 
of man. Next to him, is the speaker, who gives way 
to his emotions, without thinking of regulating their 
signs ; and trusts to the force of nature, unsolicitou 
about the graces of art. And the worst, is he, who 
uses tones and gestures which he has borrowed from 
others, and which, not being the result of his feelings, 
are likely to be misapplied, and to be void of proprie- 
ty, force, and grace. But he who is utterly without 
all language of emotions, who confines himself to the 
mere utterance of words, without any concomitant 
signs, is not to be classed at all amongst public speak- 
ers. The very worst abuse of such signs, is prefera- 
ble to a total want of them; as it has at least a strong- 
er resemblance to nature. 






PART SECOND. 



I INSTRUCTIONS AND CRITICISMS 



READING 

OF THE CHURCH SERVICE. 



INSTRUCTIONS AND CRITICISMS 



READING OF THE CHURCH SERVICE. 



SHERIDAN'S ADDRESS TO THE CLERGY. 

You cannot but be sensible of the general clamour, 
which has, at all times, been raised against the very 
bad manner in which the service of the church is too 
often administered. The blame of this has been con- 
stantly thrown upon you by the laity; who charge you 
with neglect, and want of taking proper pains to quali- 
fy yourselves for executing this important part of your 
duty. In the course of this work I have fully exoner- 
ated you from that charge ; as however desirous you 
might be to make yourselves masters of it, the means 
were not in your power ; for having no lights to guide 
you in your researches, you were each obliged to con- 
tinue in that manner of delivery, which you had ac- 
quired in your early days, and which custom had es- 
tablished too firmly to be altered without assistance. 
But this excuse will now no longer avail you. The 
means of acquitting yourselves, with propriety at least, 
in the discharge of that part of your office, are so clear- 
ly laid open, that a person of a very moderate capaci- 
ty may attain it, by the application of one mcteth only ; 



^H 



110 ON READING, &c. 

and such as are desirous of excelling in that way, may 
compass their end, in proportion to their natural pow- 
ers of delivery, and the pains they shall take, accord- 
ing to the method here proposed. 

Such of the clergy as shall hereafter neglect to make 
use of the means of information now offered to them, i 
will be considered as inexcusable ; and their faults can j 
no longer escape notice, as they will all now be obvi- r 
ous to their hearers ; for it is probable that this work , 
will be very generally read by the laity, to whom, in 
other respects, it will be found equally useful and ne- \ 
cessary. i 

If my Lords the Bishops would pitch upon this book 5 
as part of their examination for holy orders, and make ,1 
propriety of reading, in all future candidates, an es- t\ 
sential requisite to their admission into that sacred of- i 
fice, they would do a more real service to the cause of j 
religion, than the most celebrated of their order ever 
have done by their polemical writings. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

' 



\ There is not any thing which can shew the low state 
[ of the Art of Reading among us, in a stronger light, 
than the general complaint, that the service of the 
I church is so seldom delivered with propriety. At first 
view, one would be apt to imagine, that in the settled 
service, open to all to be studied and examined at lei- 
sure, every one, by suitable pains, might make himself 
! master of the proper manner of reading it. It is this 
I mistaken notion, which makes the laity so forward to 
| lay the blame at the door of such of the clergy, as do 
I not perform this part of the office well ; attributing it 
wholly to neglect, and the want of taking proper pains. 
Whereas the true cause of the defect, is, the erroneous 
manner in which all are taught to read, by persons ut- 
terly disqualified for the office. They are originally 
I set wrong upon principle, and yet think themselves 
right. How is it possible therefore, that they should 
set about amending faults, of which they are not con- 
scious ? And when this faulty manner has taken root, 
by custom and a length of years, how difficult, nay 
impossible would it be, even supposing they were made 
conscious of it, to change such habits, without the assis- 
tance of skilful persons, to point out the particulars in 
which they are faulty, and shew how they are to be 
amended. And where are such to be found? As to 
any information they might receive from their friends 
or acquaintance, they would be but little the better for 
it ; as they probably are as unskilled in the art, and 



112 ON READING 

deficient in the practice, as themselves ; even suppos- ! 
ing they were willing to give th£m such information. 
But it is well known how backward men are to perform 
the task of censors upon any habits of their friends, j 
unless called upon to do so. And the man who wants 
such information, from a consciousness of his deficien- 
cy, is yet restrained from applying for it, by a false 
shame; considering it as a disgrace to acknowledge 
that he did not know how to read, at that time of life. ' 
For this is the light in which they consider it, con- 
founding under one term, two very distinct things, that ' 
of mere reading, and reading well. In learning to read, 1 
two very dhfereut ends may be proposed. The ose, 1 
that of silent reading, to enable us to understand au- J 
thors, and store our minds with knowledge ; the other, 
that of reading aloud, by which we may communicate 
the sentiments of authors to our hearers with perspi- 
cuity and force. All our pains have been employed 5 
in accomplishing the former end; and with regard to : 
the latter, we are either set wrong by false rules, or 
left wholly to chance. Now if it were known that to 
arrive at perfection in the art of reading in the latter 1 
sense, would require much time and pains, even sup- 
posing it were taught by a regular system of rules 
and skilful masters ; surely it could never be consider- 1 
ed as a disgrace to any one to be deficient in such an 
art, who, far from having precepts to guide, or masters \ 
to teach him, should be misled by false lights, in the 
very first principles of the theory, and corrupted by 
bad examples in the practical part. For the benefit of 
such as are desirous of getting rid of their bad habits, 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 113 

and discharging that important part of the sacred office, 

the reading of the liturgy, with due decorum, I shall 

first enter into a minute examination of some parts of 

the service, and afterwards deliver the rest, accompa- 

! nied with such marks, as will enable the reader, in a 

i short time, and with moderate pains, to make himself 

I master of the whole. And though this may seem to 

j be chiefly calculated for the use of the clergy, yet it 

j will be found the very best lesson that could be given 

j to all others, in the art of reading. In making my 

i comments, I shall not select passages from different 

[ parts of the service, but take them in their order as 

i they lie in the Prayer-book, beginning with some of 

I the texts that are usually read before the exhortation. 

But first it will be necessary to explain the marks which 

you will hereafter see throughout the remainder of this 

work. They are of two kinds ; one, to point out the 

emphatic words, for which purpose I shall use the 

grave accent of the Greek | ]. 

The other, to point out the different pauses or stops, 

for which I shall use the following marks : 

For the shortest pause, marking an incomplete sense, a 

small inclined line, thus | 1 

For the second, double the time of the former, two [ " ] 

And for the third or full stop, three [ '" ] 

When I would mark a pause longer than any belonging 

to the usual stops, it shall be by two horizontal lines, 

as thus [ = ] 

When I would point out a syllable that is to be dwelt 

on some time I shall use this mark [ — ] 

or a short horizontal over the syllable. 
11 



114 ON READING 

When a syllable should be rapidly uttered, this [ y ] 

or a curve turned upwards; the usual marks of long 

and short quantity in prosody. 

The reason for my using new marks for the stops, 

is this. They who have been accustomed to associate 

reading notes to the stops, will, on the sight of them, 

be apt to fall into their old habit; and as the new marks 

are free from such association of ideas, they will be 

more likely to be guided in all the changes of their 

voice by the sense only. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. H5 



CHAPTER I. 



THE ORDER FOR DAILY MORNING PRAYER. 

As the first necessary step towards getting into a good 
habit, is to get rid of a bad one, I shall point out the 
faults that are usually committed in reading the ser- 
vice, and afterwards propose the amendments. 



SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE AT THE BEGINNING 
OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

From these it will be sufficient to select the last two 
by way of examples. 

I have often heard the following verse read in this 
manner. 

" Enter not into judgment with thy se rvant 
O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be 
justified." 

Here the words, not, servant, sight, justified, between 
which it is impossible to find any connexion, or depend- 
ence of one on the other, are principally marked. By 
these false emphases, the mind is turned wholly from 
the main purport and drift of the verse. Upon hear- 
ing an emphasis upon not, it expects quite another con- 
clusion to make the meaning consistent ; and instead 
of the word for, which begins the latter part of the 
sentence, it would expect a but ; as Enter no't into 



116 ON READING 

judgment with thy servant O Lord, but regard me with 
an eye of mercy. When it hears the emphasis on ser- 
vant, it expects also another conclusion ; as, Enter no v t 
into judgment with thy servant O Lord, but enter into 
judgment with those who are not thy servants. And 
by the emphasis on the words sight , and justified, the 
true meaning is not conveyed. But if read in the fol- 
lowing manner, c Enter not into judgment with thy 
servant O Lord" for' in th'y sight' shall no man li ving 
be justified' — the whole meaning becomes obvious, and i 
we see that there is a great deal more implied, than 
the mere words would express, without the aid of pro- 
per emphasis. 'Enter nut into judgment with thy servant' 
O Lord'" — That is, enter not, O Lord, into the severi- 
ty of judgment with thy servant — c for' in thy sight' — 
which is all-piercing, and can spy the smallest blemish [ 
— c shall no man living be justified' — No man on earth, 
no not the best, shall be found perfect, or sufficiently 
pure, to stand the examination of the eye of purity 
itself. 

b 

Upon this sentence thus pronounced, the following 
beautiful passage in Job, may be a comment. 

" How then can man be justified with God, or how f 
can he be clean that is born of woman ? Behold even 
to the moon, and it shineth not ; yea the stars are not 
pure in his sight. How much less, man, that is a worm, 
and the son of man, which is a worm." 

The following sentence is often read in this faulty 
manner. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. H7 

" If we say that we have no si V we deceive 
ourselves' and the truth is not in us" but if we 
confess our sins' God is faithful and just to 
forgive us our sins' and to cleanse us from all 
unrighteousness." 

" If we say that we have no si n." Here by laying 
the strong emphasis on the word say we are led to a 
wrong meaning, as if we only said it with our lips, 
but did not think so. How then can the conclusion 
follow of deceiving ourselves ? We may deceive others 
by saying what is false, but it is only by thinking 
falsely, we can deceive ourselves. Which is the true 
meaning of the words properly pronounced. " Ff we 
say that we have no sin', we deceive ourselv'es' 1 that 
is, i v f there be any among us, so vainly blind to their 
own faults, as to imagine they are without sin, they 
deceive themselves. This sentence is not an affirma- 
tive one, but conditional. It does not say that there 
are any such amongst us, but, if there be any such ; 
and, therefore, the conditional particle z/, is, in this 
case, emphatical. " Ff we say that we have no si V 
we deceive ourselv es — and the truth is not in u V 
Here is another fault committed in laying the empha- 
sis on the words in us only, whilst the word " truth," 
which is the important one, is slightly passed over. 
" And the truth is not in us." That is, the opinion 
entertained of ourselves is false. This strong empha- 
sis laid only on the words in u's, is the more unpardon- 
able in those who lay such an emphasis on the word 
11* 



118 0N READING 

" say," because it by no means follows that the truth i 
is not in us because we say otherwise : a man may j] 
think the truth, and say the contrary : and this very i 
phrase proves the meaning of the text as before ex- 1 
plained, that it relates to thinking, nut saying ; as it i 
expressly says, the truth is not in us, that is, we think -\ 
falsely. . jt 

" But if we confess our si ns." — Here again the false 
emphasis is laid on the word sins, whilst the principal j) 
circumstance, that of confessing is slightly passed c 
over. " But if we confers our sins" — that is, if upon (j 
a thorough self-examination, after having discovered [ 
our sins, we make an humble acknowledgement of p 
them, with a contrite heart, and a thorough desire and z 
intention of reforming; (for all this is implied in the t 
word confess, as no other sort of confession can be of ) 
any avail towards obtaining the grace promised.) How jj 
emphatical, therefore, ought this word to be, which { 
implies so much ! i 

There is another word in this sentence which is 
hurried over as if it were a mere particle, when in ji 
this place it is a word of strong import ; I mean the ! r < 
word but. It is usually read " but if we confess our ° 
sins," as if it w ere a mere disjunctive particle. Where- i 
as, but in this situation stands in the place of the words i 
on the other hand, as may be perceived by reading the t 
two members of the sentence and uniting them by ji 
those words. " Ff we say that we have no si n, we i 
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not i'n us ; on the : 
other hand, if we confers our sins." — cc But" therefore, ( 
standing in the place of words, should be emphatical, i 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. \\ 9 

as all particles are when they are substituted in the 
place of words. " But if we confess our sins God is 
faithful and just to forgive us our si ns." Who is faith- 
ful and just to forgive us our sins? Could any one 
conceive that it is the great God of the universe who 
is here spoken of in so slight a way ? Throughout the 
whole service, indeed, the awful name of God is by 
some treated so familiarly, and so little distinguished 
\ from any particle of three letters, as must give great 
! offence to pious ears. It is said of the great Robert 
! Boyle, that he never mentioned the name of God, even 
! in private discourse, without making a perceptible 
I pause after it. How much more would this practice 
j become those who are engaged in the solemn act of 
public worship, and how much would it add to the so- 
lemnity of that worship ? It is manifestly proper that, 
in reading this sentence, the voice should dwell with 
devotional emphasis upon the word God, and that it 
I should be preceded and followed by a perceptible 
pause. " Ff we confess our sins' God' is faithful and 
: jVst to forgiVe us our sins, &c." These last words are 
j generally as improperly read as the rest. The chief 
emphasis is here also, often placed on the word sin's, 
which not only mars the sense, but produces a sad 
cacaphonia, very disagreeable to the ear, by the three 
successive emphases on the word " sins" in the same 
sentence. As, " if we say that we have no sin' we de- 
ceive ourselves' and the truth is not in us" but if we 
confess our si ns' God is faithful and just to forgive us 
our si ns &c." The want of laying the proper empha- 
sis on the word confess, in the former part of the sen- 



120 ON READING 

tence, produces the same mistake in not laying it right 
on the word forgive in the latter, as the one is a con- i 
sequence of the other. If we confess our sins, God 
will forgive our sins. 

The words " faithful" and "just," by being hurried 
over, lose their whole force and import. When pro- 
perly pronounced, there is implied in them by means , 
of emphasis, that God has entered into a covenant with 
man that, upon confession and repentance, he will 
forgive him his sins, through the atonement of Christ : 
his faithfulness and justice, therefore, are both pledged 
for the fulfilment of this covenant. " God' is faithful I 
and ju'st, to forgive us our sinV and to cleanse us from 



all unrighteousness." 

Here the emphasis on the word " unrighteousness," ] 
is as unfortunately placed, as any of the others. For 2 
the emphasis ought to be stronger both on the words \ 
" cleanse" and " all ;" the meaning of the sentence, j 
being that, God, upon our confession and repentance, j 
will not only forgive our sins, but likewise cleanse us, . 
not from unrighteousness only, but from all unrighte- * 
ousness. He will thoroughly purify us. Having thus, 
very minutely pointed out the various errors so com- • 
monly committed in reading this sentence, — I shall - 
now mark it in the manner in which it is usually read, 3 
and then, in what I apprehend to be the right way of r 
reading it, that the difference may be the more ap- j 
parent. 

If we say that we have no si n' we deceive our- \ 
selves', and the truth is not in us" but if we confess 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 121 

our sin's' God is faithful and just to forgive us our 
sin's' and to cleanse us from all unrig'hteousnes. 

Now in the other. 

Ff we say that we have no sin' we deceive our- 
selves' and the truth is not in us" but' if we confess 
our sins' God' is faithful' and ju'st' to forgiVe us our 
sins' and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 



THE EXHORTATION. 

The Exhortation I have often heard delivered in the 
following manner : 



■o 



"Dearly beloved brethren, the scripture 
moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge 
and confess our manifold sins and wickedness. 
And that we should not dissemble nor cloak 
them before the face of Almighty God our 
Heavenly Father, but confess them with an 
humble lowly penitent and obedient heart, to 
the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the 
I same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. 
And although we ought at all times humbly to 
acknowledge our si us before God, yet ought 
we chiefly so to do when we assemble and 
meet together. To render thanks for the 
great benefits we have received at his hands, 
to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his 
most holy word, and to ask those things which 



122 ON READING 

are requisite and necessary as well for the body ' 
as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech 
you as many as are here present, to accompa- 
ny me with a pure heart and humble voice to , 
the throne of the heavenly grace, saying." 

In the beginning of this exhortation, we usually find, k 
that the clergyman's eye is fixed on the book, and that ( 
he utters the words as mere matter of form; but, sure- ( 
ly, the truly Christian and affectionate address, with |* 
which it commences, from a pastor to his flock, ought \i 
to be made with earnestness, and his eyes looking I 
round the whole congregation. ' Dearly beloved bre- i 
thren!'=And then there should a pause of some length \ 
ensue, to give them time to collect themselves, and i 
awaken their attention to the solemn duty they are ji 
about to perform. Whereas, in the other way, when k 
the eye is on the book, the congregation cannot feel it 
as an immediate address to them ; especially when they I 
find that there is no pause after this address, but that i 
he immediately runs on to the next sentence, which It 
has no connexion with it, misled by the false pointing ( 
of a comma after the words, £ Dearly beloved brethren,' I 
which ought to have been marked by what is called a fc 
point of admiration. In the latter part of the first pe- |i 
riod, * but confess them with an humble lowly penitent u 
and obedient heart, to the end that we may obtain, for- \ 
giveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and u 
mercy' — there are several faults committed. In the i 
first place, the four epithets preceding the word heart, r, 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 123 

are huddled together, and pronounced in a monotone, 
disagreeable to the ear, and enervating to the sense; 
whereas each word rising in force above the other, 
ought to be marked by a proportional rising of the 
notes in the voice ; and, in the last, there should be 
such a note used as would declare it at the same time 
to be the last — c with an humble' lowly' penitent' and 
obedient heart, &c.' At first view it may appear, 
that the w T ords humble and lowly, are synonimous ; 
but the word lowly, certainly implies a greater de- 
gree of humiliation than the word humble. The 
word, penitent, that follows, is of stronger import 
than either ; and the word, obedient, signifying a per- 
fect resignation to the will of God, in consequence of 
our humiliation and repentance, finishes the climax. 
But if the climax in the words, be not accompanied 
by a suitable climax in the notes of the voice, it can- 
not be made manifest. In the following part of the 
sentence, ' to the en v d that we may obtain' forgiveness 
of the same' there are usually three emphases laid on 
the words, end, obtain, same, where there should not 
be any, and the only emphatic word, forgiveness, is 
slightly passed over ; whereas it should be read — 6 to 
the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same,' 
keeping the words, obtain and forgiveness, closely 
together, and not disuniting them, both to the pre- 
judice of the sense and cadence. The following 
words, ' by his infinite goodness and mercy,' lose 
much of their force, by the manner of repeating 
them; whereas, by interjecting a pause between the 
words, his, and infinite, as, c by his' infinite goodness 



^ 



124 ON READING 

and mercy' we not only pay the proper reverence due, 
to the Deity, whenever he is mentioned, but there is|> 
superadded, by this means, a force to the word, infi^ 
nite, coming- after the pause, which alone can make 
us have an adequate conception of those attributes in 
Him, whose mercy endureth forever — { by his' infinite , 
goodness and mercy.'— ' And although we ought at allk 
times' — Here the accent of the word, although, is 3 
changed,. and put on the first syllable, although; and 
this syllable being pronounced in the same quantity as, 
the word all, which follows soon after, occasions a 
repetition of the same sound so suddenly, as to be. 
disagreeable to the ear; and the want of the due^ 
change of note on the word all, obscures the sense — 
' and although we ought at all times' — whereas, in the , 
right way of pronouncing it, and c although we ought 
at all times' — the repetition of the same sound is j 
avoided, and the following meaning is evidently im- 
plied ; though we should embrace every opportunity, 
when we are alone, and in private meditation, to con- : 
fess our sins before God, yet ought we chiefly so to 
do, when we assemble and meet together, to join in 
acts of public worship. Here, also, there is often an [ 
unfortunate emphasis on the word, so, instead of the 
word, chiefly, 'yet ought we chiefly so to do, &c.' [ 
and this arises from not giving the due emphasis to 
to the word, all, in the former part of the sentence, 
which would have shewn the necessity of giving a 
correspondent force to the word, chiefly, in the latter. 
4 And although we ought at all times' humbly to ac- 
knowledge our sins before God" yet ought we chiefly , 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 125 

so to do' when we assemble and meet together to ren- 
| der thanks' for the great benefits that we have receiv- 
! ed at his hands, &c.' Nothing is more frequent than 
i to give the tone of a full stop at the end of the former 
part of this sentence, as thus — ' yet ought we chiefly 
j so to do when we assemble and meet together. 5 
What, at any time, in assemblies of amusement and 
| festivity ? No, it is only when we assemble and meet 
i together, to render thanks for the great benefits we 
have received at his hands, &c In this, and what 
i follows, a distinct enumeration is made, of the seve- 
ral parts whereof the public worship is composed. 
To render thanks for the great benefits that we have 
received at his hands" Thanksgiving. To set forth his 
most worthy praise" by psalms and hymns. To hear 
his most holy loord" in the Lessons. And to ask those 
things that are requisite and necessary, as well for the 
body as the soul" the prayers. On which account, 
the several sentences containing the distinct parts of 
the service, ought to be kept more detached from 
each other, than they usually are ; and the words pe- 
culiarly expressive of each branch of the service, 
should chiefly be made emphatical. c To render 
tha nks' for the great benefits that we have received 
at his hands" to set forth his most worthy praise" to 
hear' his most holy wo'rd ' and to a N sk those things' 
which are requisite' and necessary' as well for the 
body' as the soul"" Whereas, in the usual way of 
running these sentences into one another, the auditor 
I has no time to observe the distinctness of the parts ; 

! and I believe it has seldom occurred to any one, that 
12 



126 ON READING 

in these four sentences, are separately enumerated l| 
the four capital branches of the church service. I 
c Wherefore I pray and beseech you as many as are 
here present' — This is the way in which that passage 
is usually delivered; but, surely a more particular 
and personal address, would have more force to call 
up attention, than this vague and general one; which 
will be done only by placing the emphasis on the ' 
word, you. ' Wherefore I pray and beseech you' as 
many as are here present, &c.' That is, I pray and be- 
seech all of you, and each individual of you, here pre- 
sent, to accompany me, &c. for that is what is im- 
plied in the words c as many as are here present :' it is 
addressing them in detail, each individual of the num- 
ber there present ; and if these words be not taken in 
that sense, they are a mere tautology ; for if they had 
only a general meaning, like the word i/ow, they would 
express nothing more than what had been already 
done by that word. 

I shall now read the whole, in the manner I have 
recommended ; and if you will give attention to the 
marks, you will be reminded of the manner, when you 
come to practise in your private reading. 

" Dearly beloVed brethren !=The scripture 
moveth us' in su ndry places' to acknowledge 
and confess our manifold sins and wickedness" 
and that we should not dissemble nor cloak 
them before the face of Almighty God' our 
Heavenly Father" but confess them' with an 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 127 

humble' lowly' penitent' and obedient heart' to 
the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the 
same' by his' infinite goodness and mercy"' 
And although we ought at all times' humbly 
to acknowledge our sins before Go d" yet ought 
we chiefly so to do' when we assemble and 
meet together' to render tha nks' for the great 
benefits w T e have received at his hands" to set 
forth' his most worthy praise" to hear' his most 
holy word" and to ask those things' which are 
requisite and necessary' as well for the body' 
as the soul'" Wherefore' I pray and beseech 
you' as many as are here present' to accompa- 
ny me' with a pure heart' and hu'mble voice' 
unto the throne of the heavenly grace' saying " 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 

Now to examine the Confession in the same way. 

'Almighty and most merciful Father.'— -Hera the 
greatest stress is usually laid on the word, Father; 
whereas it ought to be on the attribute, merciful. 
We are making a confession of our sins, and imploring 
pardon for them of God ; and it is upon the greatness 
of his mercy, that we presume to approach him in this 
manner, or to hope for pardon ; which is implied in 
the words properly read — c Almighty and most mer- 
ciful Father 5 — Another fault here committed, is the 
dropping the vo'ce at the end, as if it were a full stop ; 



128 ON READING 

whereas, it is evidently an incomplete member of a 
sentence, as would appear if it were immediately fol- 
lowed by the subsequent one, which belongs to it, 
without the reader's being interrupted by the congre- 
gation. But that interruption ought to make no change 
in the proper manner of delivering it, which should be 
in a sustained note, and which the reader would use 
were he to continue it without such interruption. 
' Almighty and most merciful Father' we have erred 
and strayed from thy ways' like lost sheep.' These 
last two words are often run into one another, and 
pronounced as if they were but one ; instead of c like 
lost sheep,' it is read, like losssheep.' c We have fol- 
lowed too muc'h the devices and desires of our own 
hearts.' Here by laying the stress on the word, much, 
there is no more implied, but that we have given way 
to our inclinations more than we should do ; and that, 
may admit of being interpreted, but in a small degree. 
But when it is repeated thus — t We have followed too 
much' the devices and desires of our own hearts' it 
implies, in a great degree, there are no boundaries 
iiscd to our wanderings; and not only so, but the 
tone of voice accompanying that emphasis, includes 
at the same time self condemnation, and contrition. 
c We have followed too much' the devices and desires 
of our own hearts. We have offended against thy 
holy laws. We have left undo ne those things which 
we ought to have do'ne ; and we have do ne those 
things which we ought not to have do ne.' In which 
way of reading, the repetition of the word, done, four 
times in so short a space, and in the same tone, is at 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 129 

once disagreeable to the ear, and obscures the mean- 
ing. But in the right way of reading it — * We have 
left u ndone those things which we ou v ght to have 
done" and we have done those things' which we 
ought no v t to have done'" The two emphases placed 
on the two negatives, make the word, done, with 
which they are connected, pass unnoticed by the ear; 
and the different notes of voice, used to the same 
word, twice repeated in one sentence, give at once an 
agreeable variety to the ear, and enforce the meaning 
upon the understanding. Which is no more than this ; 
' We have left u ndone' what we ought to have do ne ; 
j and we have done' what we ought no't to have done. 
And there is no health in us.' In this way the stress 
is improperly laid upon in* and the important word, 
health, is passed over unmarked. It should be read — 
c and there is no heaPth in us. — But thou O Lord have 
mercy upo n us miserable offenders.' In this way of 
| running the words of the invocation into one another, 
; all reverence to the Deity is lost. — l But thou O Lord,' 
Whereas, by interjecting a small pause before the im- 
mediate address to him by name, and at the same time 
lowering the voice, in token of respect, the manner 
would be such, as alone can become a creature, ad- 
dressing his Creator. c But thou' O Lord' have mer- 
cy upo'n us miserable offenders"" In these words, 
here, as well as in all other places where they are 
repeated, it is usual to lay the emphasis on the insig- 
nificant word, upon, instead of the important one, 
mercy; by saying, — c have mercy upon us' — instead 

of ' have me'rcy upon us miserable offenders.' — 

12* 



1 30 ON READING 

The difficulty of reading the Liturgy with spirit, 
and even with propriety, is somewhat peculiar, on ac- 
count of the inveterate and long established faults to 
which almost every one's ears are become so familiar; 
so that such a delivery as would shock any one of 
even moderate taste, in any other composition, he 
will, in this, be likely to tolerate, and to practise. 
Some read, " have mercy upon us, miserable offend- 
ers," and others, " have mercy upon us, miserable 
offenders ;" both laying the stress on a wrong word, ' 
and making the pause in the wrong place, so as to 
disconnect "us" and "miserable offenders," which 
the context requires us to combine. Every one, in 
expressing his own natural sentiments would say ] 
" have mercy upon us-miserable-offenders." > 

c Spare thou those O God who confess their faults.' i 
In the first part of the sentence, the words, thou those, j 
when run too closely together, have a bad effect on , 
the ear. ' Spare thou those' — which may be avoid- 
ed by a small separation of those words ; as, Spare 
thou' those' O God' who confers their faults. — Restore 
thou those who are penitent.' Here is a repetition of 
the same words, thou those, which has still a worse ef- • 
feet on the ear, and is to be remedied in the same way. 
' Restore thou' those who are pe'nitent. According | 
to thy promises' declared unto mankind in Christ 
Jesus our Lord'" And grant O most merciful Father 
for his sake' — Here we have another instance of the 
want of respect to the Deity, by not making the pro- 
per pause before the immediate address to him ; and 
indeed the same may be observed throughout the 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. J 31 

i whole service. It should be read thus : And grant' 
I most meVciful Father' for his sake' that we may 

hereafter' live a go v dly' righteous' and sober life" to 
1 the glory of thy holy name. 

I shall now insert the confession marked as I think 

it ought to be read. 

Almighty and most merciful Father' we 

; have er red and strayed from thy ways' like lost 

| sheep'" We have followed too much the de- 

| vices and desires of our own hearts'" We have 

! offe nded against thy holy laws'" We have left 

u ndone those things which we ought to have 

done" and we have done those things which 

we ought not to have done" and there is no 

health in us'" But thou' O Lord' have mercy 

upon us- miserable-offenders'" Spare thou' 

! those' O God' who confess their faults'" Restore 

thou' those who are pe nitent" according to thy 

promises declared unto mankind' in Christ 

Je sus our Lord'" And grant' most merciful 

Father' for his sake" that we may' hereafter' 

live a godly' righteous' and sober life' to the 

glory of thy holy name'" Amen. 



THE ABSOLUTION. 



In reading the absolution, it is usual to begin it in 
the same manner, and tone of voice, as if it were a 



132 0N READING 

prayer addressed to the Almighty, instead of speaking 
of him, and delivering a commission in his name. As 
thus — c Almighty God ! the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ' — instead of the authoritative tone of one speak- J 
ing in his name, and who has received power and com- } 
mandment from him, to declare his gracious pleasure 
to his people. The words as they stand, have indeed 
the same air as several prayers beginning in the same • 
manner : which probably has betrayed most into the J 
same mode of delivering them. But whoever will ' 
suppose them to be preceded by the article, the, which ^ 
is understood, as thus — The Almighty God, Father of ' 
our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. will immediately see the f 
necessity of using a tone very different from that of 1 
supplication ; and will easily bring himself to the use 3 
of it. — c Who desireth not the death of a si nner, but ? 
rather that he may tur n from his wickedness and live.' ' 
Here the emphasis on the words, sinner, in the first r 
part, and, turn from his wickedness, in the latter, ob- J 
scure the main purport of the sentence ; which is, The ' 
Almighty takes no pleasure in seeing a sinner perish jl 
everlastingly, (which is implied in the death of a sinner) ' 
but wishes rather, that by a course of penitence and re- 
formation, he may receive eternal life ; which is impli- J 
ed in the word, live. How strongly marked, therefore, E 
should words be of such powerful import ! c And hath ~ 
given power and commandment to his ministers, to ' 
declare and pronounce to his people being penitent' — J 
The words, by being thus huddled together, lose ^ 
much of their import and clearness. But read in the J 
following way — And hath given poVer' and com- 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 133 

mandment to his ministers" to declare' and pronounce' 
to his people' — the different parts of each member of 
the sentence, and their reference to each other are 
distinctly pointed out. He hath given to his ministers 
commandment' to declare" and power' to pronounce' 
the absolution of sins — upon a certain condition. 
Ought not the condition then, to be particularly mark- 
j ed and enforced, instead of being slurred over as it 
usually is ? < to declare and pronounce to his people 
being penitent the absolution, &c.' Should it not have 
i the solemnity of a pause, both before and after it, ac- 
! companied by a lower tone of voice, to give it its due 
I weight ? As thus — to declare and pronounce to his 
[ people' being pe v nitent' the absolution' and remission 
of their sins. — £ He pardoneth and absolveth all those 
I who truly repent, &c.' Here the observation former- 
ly made, recurs, of the slight manner in which the 
Almighty is often mentioned, and which must be much 
more striking on this occasion, where his minister is 
commanded in his name, to declare his pleasure to his 
people, upon so important an article. Surely this 
cannot be done with too much solemnity, and may be 
effected by dwelling with a tone of reverential awe, 
on the relative which stands for his name, followed by 
a suitable pause ; thus — He" pardoneth and absolveth 
all those who truly repenY and unfeignedly belie Ve his 
holy Gospel. — c Wherefore let us beseech him to grant 
us true repentance, &c.' In this, as in all other 
places, where there is a particular address to the con- 
gregation, it is to be wished that it were brought more 
home to them, by force of emphasis on the proper 



134 ON READING 

word; as thus — Wherefore let us beseech him to grant 
uV true repentance — that is, let us all who are here [ 
assembled, unite to beseech him that we may be made 
fit partakers of this covenant ; the covenant just before 
published to all Christians. From which each pastor 
takes occasion to exhort his own particular flock, 
earnestly to pray to God, that they may partake of it. J 

Many are apt even to commit so gross an error, as (I 
to lay the chief stress on the words which denote the D 
most important things ; without any consideration of i 
the emphatic word of each sentence : e. g. in the Ab- 
solution, many read, " let us beseech him to grant us 
true repentance ;" because, forsooth, " true repen- 
tance" is an important thing ; not considering that, as 
it has been just mentioned, it is not the new idea, and 
that to which the attention should be directed by the 1 
emphasis ; the sense being, that since God pardoneth 
all that have true repentance, therefore, we should. 
" beseech him, to grant it to us." 

These are the principal faults usually committed in 
reading the absolution. Others of smaller note I shall 
not expatiate on, but leave them to each one's obser- 
vation, by presenting the whole in what appears to 
me to be the right manner of reading it. 



a Almighty God' the father of our Lord Je- 
sus Christ' who desireth not the death of a if 
sinner' hut rather that he may turn from his 3 
wickedness' and live" hath given power' and 
commandment to his ministers' to declare and 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 135 

pronounce to his people' being penitent' the 
absolution and remission of their sins" He" 
pardon eth and absolveth all those who truly 
repent' and unfeignedly believe his holy gos- 
pel'" Wherefore' let us beseech him' to grant 
ifs true repentance' and his Holy Spirit' that 
those things may please him' which we do at 
this pre sent' and that the rest of our life 
herea fter' may be pure and holy" so that at 
the lasY we may come to his eternal joy' 
through Jesus Christ our Lord'"' 



LORD'S PRAYER, VERSICLE AND GLORIA PATRI. 

I now come to the Lord's prayer. Nothing can 
shew the corrupt state of the art of reading, or the 
power of bad habit, in a stronger light, than the man- 
ner in which that short and simple prayer, is general- 
ly delivered. In the first words of it, 'Our Father 
who a'rt in Heaven' — that false emphasis on the word, 
art, has almost universally prevailed. This strong 
stress upon the affirmative, art, looks as if there might 
be a doubt, whether the residence of God were in 
Heaven, or not ; and the impropriety of the emphasis 
will immediately appear, upon changing the word we 
are accustomed to, for another of the same import. 
For instance, should any one instead of saying — Our 
Father who residest in HeaVen — read — Our Father 
who residest in Heaven, the absurdity would be glar- 



136 ON READING 

ing. The other consequently should be read in the 
same way — e Our Father' who art in Heaven 5 — with i 
the emphasis upon Heaven, and the voice somewhat 
raised. I have known a few who have seen this mis- 
take, and to avoid it, have run into another error, as 
thus — { Our Father whoart in Heaven,' making the 
two words, who and art, appear but as one, by too | 
precipitate an utterance — whoart. — They should be 
pronounced distinctly, but without any stress ; and I 
this will be accomplished in spite of habit, by frequent 
trials, if care be taken to reserve the emphasis for the ' 
word Heaven, as thus — c Our Father' who art in 
HeaVen' hallowed be thy nameW Thy kingdom come, ' 
thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.' — By ' 
running the words and members of the sentence thus 
into each other, the importance of the sentiments, and 
the relation which one member of the sentence bears 
to the other, are lost. The first, expresses a wish for 
the coming of the promised kingdom of Christ ; the 
other, a desire of the consequences to be expected 
from the coming of that kingdom, that the will of God 
may be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven ; which we 
are told will be the case, when Christ begins his reign. 
The meaning of the first, is the same as if it were 
written — May thy kingdom come ; but the word, may, 
being understood, its place should be supplied by a 
small pause before the word, come — e thy kingdom' 
come'" and after a due pause, to let so solemn a wish 
make its proper impression, the reason of this wish, 
that is, in order that the will of God may be done on 
Earth, as it is in Heaven, should be distinctly pointed 



1 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 137 

out, by a small pause before the words, on Earth, and, 
in Heaven, as thus — c thy kingdom' come" thy will' be 
done' on earth' as it iV in Heaven' — with the emphasis 
on the word, be, and a pause before it, to correspond 
with the pause and emphasis, before, and on, the word, 
come ; as there is the same reason for both, may, being 
here understood, as in the former case ; c may thy 
kingdom come" may thy will be done"' and upon the 
absence of that optative, the emphasis, in order to 
supply its place should be transferred to the auxiliary, 
be, as it is in all other cases. By reading it in the 
usual way, misled probably by false pointing, they 
make these two, detached sentences, utterly indepen- 
dent of each other. Whereas in the other way, the 
latter is a consequence of, and closely connected with, 
the former. c Thy kingdom' come" thy will' be done' 
on ea rth' as it iV in HeaVen — ' and from this read- 
ing only can the true meaning of the passage be dis- 
closed. — c Give us this da v y our daily bread' — Here 
the emphasis on the word, day, is unfortunately placed, 
both with regard to sound and sense. The ear is 
hurt, by the immediate repetition of the same sound, 
in the word daily — c Give us this day our daily bread' 
— And the true meaning is not conveyed ; for this is 
supposed to be a prayer to be daily used, and a peti- 
tion to be daily preferred, composed for our use by 
him, who bade us take no thought for the morrow ; 
wherefore it should be thus pronounced — c Give us 
thi's day' our daily brea'd" — c And forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive those, who trespass against 
us.' — There are so many faults committed, in this 
13 



1 38 ON READING 

manner of reading the sentence, that to enter into a 
minute examination of them, would take up too much 
time unnecessarily; as I apprehend that the bare 
reading of it in the right manner will carry conviction 
with it, and needs no other comment. fc And forgive 
us' our trespasses' a v s we' forgive those who trespass 
against uV I must here, however, shew the necessity 
there is, for laying a strong emphasis on the little 
word, as, which is always slurred over ; because that 
particle implies the very condition on which we ex- 
pect forgiveness ourselves, that is, in like manner as 
we grant it to others. There is another fault com- 
mitted by some, in removing the accent from the last 
syllable of the word, forgive, to the first; as, Give us i 
this day our daily bread, and fo'rgive us our trespasses, 
&c.' by which they seem to make an opposition be- 
tween the words, give and forgive, where there is 
none intended ; than which nothing can be more ab- 
surd and puerile. — c And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil.' — It were to be wished, for 
obvious reasons, that the strong emphasis on the word, 
lead, were transferred to the word, temptation; in- 
stead of saying — ' and lead us not into temptation' — 
that it were read — c and lead us not into temptation, ' 
but deliver us from evil.' — c For thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.' — In 
this way of reading, the fine close of this admirable 
prayer, is changed in its movement, from the solemn j 
and majestic, to a comic and cantering pace. ' For i 
thine is' the kingdom' and the power' and the glory' 3 
for ever' and ever.' The measure in this way, to j 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 1 39 

speak in the prosodial language, becomes purely am- 
phibrachic, used only in comic poems and ballads; 
whereas by making a pause after the word, thine, and 
separating the other members of the sentence, the 
movement becomes chiefly anapaestic, full of force and 
dignity. — 4 For thine' is the kingdom" and the power" 
and the glory" for ever' and ever.' 

I shall now read the whole in the proposed manner. 

c Our Father' who art in HeaVen' ha llow- 
ed be thy name=Thy kingdom' come" thy 
will' be done on earth' as it is' in HeaVen= 
Give us this day' our daily brea'd'" And for- 
give us' our trespasses' as we' forgive tho'se' 
who trespass against uV" And lead us not 
into temptation' but deliver us from evil=For 
thine' is the kingdom" and the power" and the 
glory" for ever' and ever='* 

\ O Lord open thou our lip's' — In this way of read- 
ing, the address to God seems only to be, to open our 
mouths, which surely does not require his interven- 



* Sheridan directs the following passage to be read thus ; 
" thy will b£ done on earth r as it iV in Heaven." with the 
emphasis on the words <e be" and "is;" these, however, are 
not the emphatic words, and do not even exist in the original 
Greek, but are supplied by the translator; the latter of them 
might, indeed, be omitted without any detriment to the sense ; 
" thy will be done, as in Heaven, so also on earth," which 
is a more literal translation, is perfectly intelligible. — Whately. 



140 0N READING 

tion ; but when the emphasis is placed right, as thus 
— c O Lord' open thou our lips' — the figurative mean- 
ing starts forth, which is, do thou inspire us with a 
true spirit of devotion, ' and our mouth shall shew 
forth thy praise.' 

' Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
Holy Ghost' — To give a due solemnity to this, and 
to direct the hearer's attention to the three persons, 
to each of whom, glory is to be attributed, I would 
recommend a small pause, before the naming of the 
first person, and a longer one after that, and the se- 
cond ; as thus I 

c Glory be' to the Father'' and to the Son" 
and to the Holy Ghost'" 



As it was' in the begi nning" is' now" and 
ever shall be' world without end'" 
Praise ye' the Lord" 
The Lord's name be praised=' 

Thus far I have been minute in my observations, 
because it will save me the trouble of commenting 
upon similar faults, when they occur in the rest of the 
service ; and as those which are most generally com- 
mitted throughout, have been laid open in the course 
of this discussion, I shall content myself hereafter, 
with reading and marking the remainder of the usual 9 
service, in a proper way ; and shall reserve my com- 7 
ments only for such passages as are most difficult, or 
in which the most glaring faults are committed. For 
a discussion throughout, equally minute, would run 
these discourses to an unreasonable length. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 141 

VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINO. 

c O come' let us sing unto the Lord" let us 
heartily rejoice in the strength of our salva- 
tion'" 

Let us come before his presence with 
thanksgiving" and shew ourselves glad in him' 
with psalms'" 

For the Lord' is a great God" and a great 
King' above all Gods'" 

In hi s hand' are all the corners of the earth" 
i and the strength of the hills' is his also'" 

The sea is his' and he made it' and hfs 
hands prepared the dry land'" 

O come' let us worship and fall down" and 
kneel before the Lord our Maker"' 

For He' is the Lord our God" and we' are 
the people of his pasture' and the sheep of his 
hand" 

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holi- 
ness" let the whole earth stand in a we of him'" 

For he cometh' for he cometh to judge the 
earth" and with righteousness to judge the 
world' and the people with his truth"' 
13* 



142 0N READING 

Next follows the 

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS. 

One general fault, in reading the following sentences, 
is dropping the voice at the conclusion of each mem- 
ber ; whereas, in many the sense is not complete, till 
made up by that part in which the congregation re- 
sponse ; and in one instance, it does not terminate till 
the third by the Minister. 

Another fault almost equally common is falsely 
placing the emphasis on the word " thee" in the se- 
venth, and three following sentences of the Te Deum; 
nor can it with propriety be made the emphatic word 
in the other portions of this sublime Hymn, with the 
exception, perhaps, of the concluding clause in the first ' 
sentence, and the first clause in the last sentence. 



We praise thee' 6 God" we acknowledge 
thee to be the Lord"' 

All the ea rth' doth worship thee' the Father 
everlasting'" 

To thee' all angels cry aloud" the heavens' 
and all the powers therein"' 

To thee' Cherubim and Seraphim continual- 
ly do cry' 

Holy" Holy" H5ly' Lord God of Sabaoth'" 

Heaven and earth' are full of the majesty of j 
thy glory'" 

The glorious company of the apostles' praise 
thee" 



i 



I ill. CHURCH - 143 

The goodly fetarahip ofthe prophets pi 

thee" 

The n hie army of marhrs' [Hike tin < 
The H 1\ Church throughout all the world 

doth acknowledge th 

The Father' of an i nlinite majesty ! 
Thine adorable 1 true' and only Son" 
AUo the Holy Ghost' the comforter 

Thou art the Kin - of Glorv () Christ 

Thou art the curia sting Son of the Father 

When thou tookett upon thee to deli \ « r 
man' thou didst humble thyself to be born of a 
virgin 

When thou hadst overco me the sharpness 
of death thou didst open the kingdom of hea- 
ven' to all bel1e\< 

Thou sittest at the right hand of God in 
the glory ofthe Father"' 

We believe' that thou shalt come to be our 
judge" 

We the refore pray thee' help thy servants' 
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious 
blood " 

Make them to be numbered frith thy saints 
in glory everlasting 

O Lord' save thy people' and bless thine he- 
ritage" 



144 ON READING 

Govern them' and lift them up for ever" 

Day by day' we ma gnify thee" 

And we worship thy name ever' world with- jl 
out end'" 

Vouchsafe' O Lord' to keep us this day 
without sin'" 

O Lord' have mercy upon us" have mercy 
upon us' /; 

O Lord' let thy mercy be upon us' as our 
tru st is in thee'" 

O Lord' in thee have I trustedlet me never 
be confounded= 



JUBILATE DEO. 

6 be joyful in the Lord' all ye lands" serve 
the Lord with gla dness' and come before his 
presence' with a so ng" 

Be ye sure' that the Lord' He is God' it is 
He that hath made us' and not we' ourselves" 
we are his people' and the sheep of hi s pas- 
ture'" 

O go your way into his gates' with thanks- 
giving" and into his courts' with praise" be 
thankful unto him' and speak good of his j 
name" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 145 

For the Lord' is gracious" his me rcy is ever- 
lasting" and his truth' endureth from genera- 
tion to generation= 



BENEDICTUS. 

Bles sed be the Lord God of Israel" for' he 
hath visited' and redeemed his people'" 

And hath raised up a mighty salvation for 
j us' in the house of his servant David" 

As he spake by the mouth of his holy Pro- 
phets' which have been since the world began" 

That we should be saved from our e nemies' 
and from the hand of all that hate us'" 

Glory be, &c.' 

It is not part of my province, to descant upon the 
propriety of appointing these hymns to be read, as 
part of the church service ; though, surely, they seem 
much better calculated for singing. But since it is a 
necessary part of the service, nothing can be more 
absurd, than delivering them in the usual cold mono- 
tonous manner. What can be more incongruous to 
the matter, than such a mode of uttering the following 
verse — 

c come let us sing unto the Lord, let us 
heartily rejoice in the strength of our salva- 
tion' — Or this, 



146 ON READING 

' O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands, serve 
the Lord with gladness and come before his f 
presence with a song.' 

Surely hymns, such as these, ought to be delivered 
in tones of that enthusiastic ardour, which naturally r 
result from a heart filled with admiration, love, and 
gratitude towards its great Creator and Benefactor. 

After these follows the Creed. 

c I believe in Go'd' the Father Almighty' j 
maker of heaven and earth" and in Jesus 
Christ' his only Son' our Lord'" Who was 
conceived' by the Holy Ghost" born' of the 
Virgin Mary" suffered' under Pontius Pilate" 
was crucified' dea'd' and bu Vied" [he descend- 
ed into hell"] the third day he rose from the 
dead" he a'scended into heaven" and sitteth 
on the right hand of God' the Father Almigh 
ty" from thence' he shall come to ju dge' the 
quick and the dea v d'" I believe in the Holy 
Ghost" the holy catholic church" the commu- 
nion of saints" the forgiveness of sins" the re - 
surre'ction of the body" and the life ever- 
lasting. 5 

This Creed will admit of little change in the notes 
of the voice. It ought to be pronounced with dis- 
tinctness and solemnity ; to which nothing will con- 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 147 

tribute so much, as a due observation of the pauses, 
in the sentences, and their several members. 

' The Lord' be with you. 5 

Here the emphasis ought to be on the auxiliary 

verb, 6e, as may, the sign of the optative, is omitted, 

I as was mentioned in a former case. This adds to the 

solemnity of the wish. Whereas, in the common way 

of repeating it. ' The Lord be with you ;' it is ex- 

; actly the same as the common mode of expression, in 

j bidding farewell. 

i 

6 And with thy spirit. 

Let us pray'" 

Lord' shew thy me rcy upon us" 

And grant us thy salvation"' 

O God' make clean our hearts within us" 

And take not thy Holy Spirit from us= 



A COLLECT FOR PEACE. 

O God' who art the author of peace' and 
lover of co ncord" in knowledge of whom' 
standeth our eternal life" whose service' is 
perfect freedom" defend us' thy humble ser- 
vants' in all assaults of our e nemies" that we' 
surely trusting' in thy defence' may not fear 
the power of any adversaries' through the 
might of Jesus Christ' our Lord= 



148 ON READING 



A COLLECT FOR GRACE. 



6 Lord' our heavenly Father' almighty and 
everlasting God" who hast safely brought us to) 
the beginning of this day" defend us in the J 
same' with thy mighty power" and grant that J 
this day' we fall into no sin' neither run into jt 
any kind of danger" but that all our doings'] 
being ordered by thy governance' may be righ-t> 
teous in thy sight' through Jesus Christ' our I 
Lord= 



A PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIT- 
ED STATES, AND ALL IN CIVIL AUTHORITY. 

6 Lord' our heavenly Father' the high and 
mighty Ruler of the universe" who dost from 
thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth" 
most heartily we beseech thee' with thy favour | 
to behold' and bless thy servant' the President 
of the United States' and all others in authori- 
ty" and so replenish them with the grace of 
thy Holy Spirit' that they may always incline 
to thy will' and walk in thy way"' Endue 
them plenteously' with heavenly gifts" grant 
them in health and prosperity long to live" and 
finally' after this life' to attain everlasting joy 
and felicity' through Jesus Christ' our Lord= 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 149 

A PRAYER FOR THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE. 
Almighty' and everlasting God' from whom 

cometh every good and perfect gift' send down 
I upon our Bishops' and other Clergy' and upon 

the congregations committed to their charge' 
J the healthful spirit of thy grace" and that they 
i may truly please thee' pour upon them the 
I continual dew of thy blessing'" Grant this' O 
| Lord' for the honour of our advocate and me- 
i diator' Jesus Chr!st== 



A PRAYER FOR ALL CONDITIONS OF MEN. 

O God' the Creator and Preserver of all 
mankind' we humbly beseech thee' for all sorts 
and conditions of men' that thou wouldst be 
\ pleased to make thy ways known unto them' 
thy sa Ving health unto all nations'" More es- 
pe cially' we pray for thy holy Chu'rch univer- 
sal" that it may be so guided and governed by 
thy good Spirit' that all who profess and call 
themselves Christians' may be led into the way 
of truth" and hold the faith' in unity of Spirit' 
in the bon d of peace' and in righteousness of 
life'" Finally' we commend to thy Fatherly 
goodness' all those' who are a ny ways afflict- 
ed or distressed' in mind' body' or estate" that 
14 



. 



150 ON READING 

it may please thee to comfort and relieve them 
according to their several necessities" giving 
them patience under their sufferings' and a 
happy i ssue out of all their afflictions"' And 
this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. 



A GENERAL THANKSGIVING. 

Almighty God' Father of all mercies' we' 
thine unworthy servants' do give thee most 
humble' and hearty thanks for all thy good- 
ness and loving kindness' to us' and to all men"' 
We bless thee for our creation' preservation' 
and all the blessings of this life" but above all' 
for thine inestimable love in the redemption 
of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ' for the 
means of grace' and for the hope of glory"' And' 
we beseech thee' give us that due sense of all 
thy mercies' that our hearts may be unfeign- 
edly thankful" and that we may show forth 
thy praise' not only with our lips' but in our 
lives' by giving up ourselves to thy se rvice' and 
by walking before thee in holiness and righ- 
teousness all our days' through Jesus Christ 
our Lord' to whom' with thee' and the Holy 
Ghost' be all honour and glory' world without 
end'" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 151 

A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. 

Almighty God' who hast given us grace at 
this time' with one accord to make our com- 
mon supplications unto thee" and dost promise 
that when two or three are gathered together 
in thy name' thou wilt grant their requests" 
fulfil now' O Lord' the desires and petitions of 
thy servants' as may be most expedient for 
them" granting us' in this world' knowledge 
of thy truth'' and in the world to come' life 
everla'sting= 



2 COR. XIIL 14. 

The grace' of our Lord Jesus Christ" and 
the love' of God" and the fellowship' of the 
Holy Ghost' be with us all' eVermore'= 

A few remarks only will be offered upon the fore- 
going prayers. In reading " a prayer of St. Chrysos- 
tom," it is very common to make " two, or three" the 
emphatic words. This faulty emphasis would lead 
one to suppose, that the promise quoted, was exclusive- 
ly applicable to very small assemblies of Christians, 
containing not more than two or three ; whereas, the 
true meaning of the promise is, that our Lord will be 
in the midst of all assemblies of social worshippers, 
whether their number be few or many. We remind 



152 ON READING 

him of his promise, and beseech him to fulfil it by 
granting the petitions and desires we have now pre- 
sented. 

In pronouncing the benediction in the usual way, as 
thus — ' The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
love of Go v d, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost' — 
all its solemnity and force is lost. The three distinct 
attributes, referred to the three persons in the God- 
head, ought to be pointed out by the due emphasis 
and pauses. c The grace' of our Lord Jesus Christ" 
and the loVe' # of God" and the fellowship' of the 
Holy Ghost" be wi v th us all' evermore.' In the last 
part, by laying the stress upon the unimportant pre- 
position, with, the pious and ardent wish, included in 
the benediction, is lost, which can only be manifested 
by a forcible emphasis on the words, be, and, all, l be 
with us all, evermore'=on be, as expressive of the 
wish, which was before explained ; on all, as extend- 
ing the benediction to the whole, and each individual 
of the congregation. 



EVENING PRAYER. 



I shall now proceed to such parts of the Evening 
Service, as are not contained in that of the morning. 



CANTATE DOMINO. 

O Sing unto the Lord a new song" for he 
hath done marvellous things"' 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 153 

With his own right hand" and with his holy 
arm' hath he gotten himself the victory'" 

The Lord' declared his salvation" his righte- 
ousness hath he openly showed in the sight of 
j the heathen"' 

He hath remembered his mercy and truth 

! toward the house of Israel" and all the ends of 

! the world have seen the salvation of our God"' 

Show yourselves jo yful unto the Lord' all 

| ye lands' sing' rejoice' and give thanks '" 

Praise the Lord upon the harp" sin'g to the 
! harp' with a psalm of thanksgiving"' 

With tru mpets' also' and shawms' O' show 
yourselves jo yful before the Lord the King'" 

Let the sea make a noise' and all that there- 
in is" the round wo rid' and they that dwell 
therein'" 

Let the floods clap their hands" and let the 
hills be joyful together before the Lord" for he 
cometh to judge the earth'" 

With ri ghteousness shall he judge the world' 
and the people with e quity'" 



BONUM EST CONFITERI. 

It is a good thing to give than ks unto the 

Lord" and to sing praises unto thy name' O 

Most Highest" 
14* 






154 ON READING 

To tell of thy loving-kin dness' early in the 
mor'ning" and of thy truth' in the ni v ght season" 

Upon an instrument of ten strings' and upon 
the lute' upon a loud instrument' and upon the \ 
harp" 

For thou' Lord' hast made me glad through 
thy works'' and I will rejoice in giving praise 
for the operations of th v y hands"' 



DEUS MISEREATUR. 

God be me rciful unto us' and ble v ss us" and 
show us the lig'ht of his countenance' and be 
merciful unto us'" 

That thy way may be known upon earth" 
thy saving health' among all nations'" 

Let the people praise thee' O God" yea' let 
all the people praise thee"' 

6' let the nations rejoi'ce and be gla v d" for 
thou shalt judge the folk ri v ghteously' and go- 
vern the nations upon earth'" 

Let the people praise thee' O God" yea' let 
all the people praise thee" 

Then' shall the earth bring forth her in- 
crease' and God' even our own God' shall give 
us his bles'sing" 

God shall ble v ss us' and all the ends of the 
world shall fear him'" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 155 



BENEDIC, ANIMA MEA. 



Praise the Lord' O my soul" and all that is 
within me' praise his holy name'" 

Praise the Lord' O my soul" and forget not' 
all his benefits" 

Who forgiVeth all thy si v n' and healeth all 
thine infirmities" 

Who saveth thy li v fe from destruction' and 
crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kin v d- 



tri 

ness 



O praise the Lord' ye An'gels of his' ye that 
excel in strength' ye that fulfi v l his command- 
ment' and hearken unto the voice of his wo N rd" 

O praise the Lord' all ye his hos v ts" ye ser- 
vants of his' that do his pleasure"' 

O speak good of the Lord' all ye works of 
his' in all pla'ces of his dominion"' Praise thou 
the Lord' O my soul'" 



A COLLECT FOR PEACE. 

O God' from whom all holy desires' all good 

counsels' and all just works do proceed" give 

j unto thy servants' that peace' which the world 

| canno t give" that our hearts may be set to 

obey thy commandments" and also' that by 



156 0N READING 

thee' we' being defended from the fear of our 
e v nemies' may pass our time in rest and quiet- 
ness' through the merits of Jesus Christ' our 
Saviour= 



A COLLECT FOR AID AGAINST PERILS. 

O Lord' our heavenly Father' by whose Al- 
mighty power we have been preserved this 
day" by thy great mercy' defend us from all 
perils and dangers of this night' for the love 
of thy only Son' our Saviour' Jesus ChrTst= 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 157 



CHAPTER II. 



THE LITANY. 

O God the Father" of Heaven" have me rcy 
upon us-miserable-sinners'" 

God the Son" Redeemer of the world" 
have mercy upon us-miserable-sinners'" 

God the Holy Ghost" proceeding from 
the Father and the Son" have mercy upon 
us-miserable-sinners'" 

holy' blessed' and glorious Tri nity" three 
Persons' and one Go'd" have me rcy upon us- 
miserable-sinners== 

Remember not' Lord' our offences' nor the 
offences of our forefa thers" neither take thou 
ve ngeance of our sins'" Spare us' good Lord" 
spare thy people' whom thou hast redeemed 
with thy most previous bloo'd' and be not 
an gry with us for ever" 

Spare us' good Lord'" 

From all evil and mischief" from sin" from 
the era fts and assaults of the deVil" from thy 
wrath'' and from everlasting damnation' 

Good Lord deliver us'" 



158 ON READING 

From all bli ndness of heart" from pride' 
vain-glory' and hypocrisy" from envy' hatred 
and malice" and all uncha ntableness' 

Good, &c. 

From all inordinate and sinful affections" 
and from all the deceits of the world' the fle W 
and the devil' 

Good Lord' deliver us'" 

From lightning' and te mpest" from plague' 
pe stilence' and famine' from ba ttle' and muV- 
der" and from sudden dea Xti 

Good, &c. 

From all sedition' privy conspiracy' and re- i 
be'llion" from all false doctrine' heresy' and 
schis W from hardness of heart' and contem pt 
of thy word and commandment' 

Good, &c. 

By' the mystery of thy holy incarnation" by' J 
thy holy nativity' and circumcision" by' thy i 
ba ptism' fa sting' and temptation' 

Good, &c. 

By thine agony and bloody swea t" by thy i 
cro'ss and pa'ssion" by thy pre cious death and 
bu rial" by thy glorious resurrection and asce n- 
sion" and by the coming of the Holy Ghost' 

Good, &c. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 159 

In all time of our tribulation" in all time of 
our prosperity" in the hour of death" and in 
the day of judgment' 
Good Lord deliver us= 
=We sinners' do beseech thee to hear us' 
I O Lord God" and that it may please thee to 
| rule and govern thy holy Church universal' in 
I the right way" 

We beseech thee to hear us' good Lord'" 
That it may please thee to ble^ss and pre- 
'■ serve' all Christian Rulers and Ma gistrates" 
' giving them grace to execute justice' and to 
, maintain truth" 
We, &c. 

That it may please thee' to illuminate all 
bishops' priests' and deacons' with true know- 
ledge and understanding of thy word" and that 
both by their preaching' and living' they may 
set it forth" and shew it accordingly'" 
We, fyc. 

That it may please thee' to bless' and keep' 
all thy people'" 
We, fyc. 

That it may please thee' to give to all na- 
tions' unity' peace' and concord'" 
We&c. 



160 0N READING 

That it may please thee' to give us an heart 
to love' and fear thee" and diligently to liVe \j 
after thy commandments'" s 

We, <Sfc. 

That it may please thee' to give to all thy 
people increase of grace' to hear meekly thy 
word" and to receive it with pure affection" 
and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit'" 

We, &c. 

That it may please thee' to bring into the !i 
way of truth' all su ch' as have e rred' and are 
deceived" 

We, <§fc. 

That it may please thee' to strengthen' such 
as do stand" and to comfort' and hefp the 
weak-hearted" and to raise up' those who fall" 
and finally to beat down Satan under our feet'" 

We, <SfC. 

That it may please thee' to succour' help' 
and comfort' all who are in danger' necessity' 
and tribulation'" 

We, &c. 

That it may please thee' to preserve all who j) 
travel' by land' or by water" all women in the 
perils of child-birth" all si v ck persons' and 
young children" and to shew thy pity upon all 
prisoners and captives'" 

We, &c. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 161 

That it may please thee' to defend' and pro- 
| vide for' the fatherless children' and widows" 
; and all who are de'solate' and oppressed" ' 

We, 3-c. 

That it may please thee to have mercy upon 
all men'" 

We, <SfC. 

That it may please thee' to forgive our erie- 
j mies' persecutors' and slanderers' and to turn 
! their hearts'" 

We, &c. 

That it may please thee' to giVe' and pre- 
serve to our use' the kindly fruits of the earth 
so that in due time we may enjoy them'" 

We, <§?c. 

That it may please thee' to gi ve us true re- 
pentance" to forgive us all our sins' negli- 
gences' and ignorances" and to endue us with 
the grace of thy Holy Spirit' to ame nd our lives 
according to thy holy wo rd= 

We beseech thee to hear us' good Lord= 

=So n of God' we beseech- thee to hear 



us'" 



O La'mb of God" who takest awa'y the si'ns 
of the world' 

Grant us thy peace'" 
15 



162 ON READING 

Lamb of God' who takest away the sins 
of the world' 

Have mercy upon us" 

1 shall now make a few observations upon some 
passages in the above service. 

In the opening of the Litany, there is something so 
wrong in the composition, that it will be very difficult ) 
to set it right by any mode of reading. The usual J 
way of delivering it — ' O God the Father of Heaven' 
— certainly does not make it sense. God may pro- | 
perly be styled the Creator of Heaven, as well as of T 
Earth ; but as we should be struck with the impro- l 
priety of calling him the Father of Earth, custom I 
alone could prevent our perceiving that it is equally * 
absurd to style him the Father of Heaven. Besides, 
there is evidently intended here, in the opening of the 
Litany, a distinct address to each of the Persons of - 
the Trinity ; not only by their different appellations, 
but by specific attributes to each. Thus in the ad- 
dress to God the Son, he is peculiarly characterized 
as Redeemer of the world. In that to the Holy 
Ghost, as proceeding from the Father and the Son. J 
The like was probably intended with regard to the r 
address to God the Father, at the opening, by the words . 
c of Heaven,' as considering that to be peculiarly his J 
province, as that of the Earth more immediately be- 
longed to our Redeemer. If this was the intention, as 
it certainly ought to have been, of the writer, it is so 
obscured by the ill choice and arrangement of the 
words, that all the world have mistaken it. Had he 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 163 

inserted the word, Ruler, or Creator, the sense would 
then have been plain, and the composition perfect ; as 
thus—' O God the Father ! Ruler of Heaven, &c. 

O God the Son! Redeemer of the world, &c. 

O God the Holy Ghost ! proceeding from the Fa- 
ther and the Son, &c.' 

There is no doubt, that as it was intended that the 
opening of the Litany, should be, by a distinct address 
to each of the three Persons of the Trinity, this inten- 
tion should have been manifested in the first instance 
in the address to the first Person, God the Father ; 
which it is not at all, in the manner in which it is ge- 
nerally delivered — ' O God the Father of Heaven' — 
for this is not God the Father considered as one of the 
Persons of the Trinity, that is, the Father of Jesus 
Christ, or God the Son ; but expressly, God the Fa- 
ther of Heaven ; and therefore has no relation to, or 
connexion with, the two following invocations, to 
God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost The only 
way to remedy this defect, is by making a pause after 
— c God the Father'— as I have read and marked it — 
Thus — O God the Father' of Heaven — That is, pecu- 
liarly God of Heaven, as we style the Son, our Sa- 
viour and Redeemer, more peculiarly Lord of Earth. 
This may at first appear uncouth from its novelty, but 
the reason for it will soon appear, and its propriety be 
made manifest. 

Many persons in reading the introductory petitions of 
the Litany, place the emphasis on the unimportant word 
" upon" — as thus, " have mercy upo'n us' miserable 
sinners ;" and others, lay the principal stress upon the 



164 °N READING 

almost equally unimportant word " us :" — " have mer- 
cy upon uV miserable sinners." A little reflection 
will convince them that these are unnatural emphases. 
A congregation of truly penitent sinners, realizing the 
misery of an unpardoned state, would only be intent 
upon pleading for mercy, and would offer up these 
earnest appeals to the triune God, in the same manner 
that we have directed a similar petition in the general 
confession to be read : — " have mercy upon us-misera- 
ble-sinners." 

In that part of the Litany where we pray for a de- 
liverance from all kinds of evil, there is one fault that 
constantly runs through the whole ; which is, that at 
the end of every passage which the clergyman utters, 
he makes a full stop ; though there is not one of them 
which contains a complete sense, till it be joined with 
the following part spoken by the congregation. Thus 
in the first passage — ' From all evil and mischief, from 
sin, from the crafts and assaults of the devil, from thy 
wrath, and from everlasting damnation' — It is evident 
that the sentence is not closed, as it does not contain 
a single verb ; nor can it be made sense, till the words 
— c Good Lord deliver ws' — be joined to it. And the 
same may be observed throughout all that part of the 
Litany. The best way to get rid of this bad habit, is, 
that the clergyman should throughout, mentally, at 
least, join with the congregation in repeating those 
words — c Good Lord deliver us' — and then, he will of 
course, see the necessity of not giving the tone of a 
full stop to the preceding part of the sentence. 






THE CHURCH SERVICE. 165 

It is usual when that part of the Litany is ended, in 
j which we deprecate evil, to run on immediately, and 
' in the same tone of voice, to the next part, in which 
i we pray for good. But surely there ought to be a 
i pause of some duration, to mark this change; and the 
I tone should be lowered to that of one who supplicates, 
! and beseeches the grant of favors to which he is not 
! entitled ; as is manifest from the very first words with 
| which it sets out. — ' We sinners' do beseech thee to 
! hear us' 6 Lord God, &c. 

There is a passage in that part of the Litany, often 
improperly read thus — c That it may please thee to 
defend and provide, for the fatherless children and 
widows, &c.' — in which way of stopping, /or, is equal- 
ly associated to the former verb, defend, as to the lat- 
ter, provide ; but we know that, defend and for, can 
never be united, as defend for, is not English. We 
should therefore read it thus — That it may please thee 
to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and 
widows, &c. 

I shall not detain you with any remarks upon the 
slighter faults committed in this part of the service, 
but proceed to the rest. 

O Christ' hear us" 
Lord' have mercy upon us" 
Christ' have mercy upon us" 
Lord' have me rcy upon us= 
15* 



166 ON READING 

O Lord' deal not with us according to our 
si'ns" 

Neither reward us according to our ini qui- 
ties= 



LET US PRAY. 

O God' merciful Father who despisest not 
the sighing of a contrite heart' nor the desire \ 
of such as are so rrowful" mercifully assi st our 
prayers' which we make before thee in all our 
troubles and adversities' whensoever they op- 
press us" and graciously hear us' that those 
evils' which the craft and subtlety' of the devil' 
or man' worketh against us' may' by thy good 
providence' be brought to nought'' that we' thy 
servants' being hurt by no persecutions' may 
evermore give than ks unto thee' in thy holy j 
church' through Jesus Christ' our Lord'" 

O Lord' arise" help us' and deliver us' for 
thy name's sake'" 

O God' we have heard with our ears' and , 
our fathers have declared unto us' the noble 
works that thou didst in their days' and in the 
old time before them'" 

O Lord' arise" help us' and deliver us' for 
thine honour. 

From our e nemies defend us' Christ" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 167 

Graciously look upon our afflictions" 
With pi'ty' behold the sorrows of our hearts" 
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people" 
Favourably' with me rcy' hear our prayers" 
O Son of David' have mercy upon us" 
Both now and ever' vouchsafe to hear us' 
O Christ" 

Graciously hear us' O Christ" graciously 
| hear us' O Lord Christ'" 

O Lord' let thy mercy be shewed upon us' 
As we do put our trust in thee= 






LET US PRAY. 

We humbly beseech thee O Father' merci- 
fully to look upon our infirmities" and for the 
glory of thy name' turn from us all those 
evils' that we most ju stly have deserved" and 
grant' that in all our troubles' we may put our 
whole trust and confidence in thy me'rcy' and 
evermore se rve thee' in holiness and pureness 
of living' to thy honour and glory' through our 
only Mediator and Advocate' Jesus Christ our 
L6rd= 

It must be manifest, I think, to every careful observ- 
er, (although it is unnoticed by Sheridan,) that there 



1 68 ON READING 

is here a change as to the person addressed. Most of 
the petitions in the Litany, are addressed to the second 
person in the Trinity : to Him who submitted to " bap- 
tism, and fasting and temptation ;" to " agony and 
bloody sweat ;" to the " cross and passion" for us. 
This is especially true, of the fervent responsive peti- 
tions immediately preceding this concluding prayer. 
tc O Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the 
world, grant us thy peace," &c. " Graciously hear L 
us, O Christ" &c. But this prayer, is manifestly ad- 
dressed to the first person in the Trinity ; and this 
change is distinctly marked by reading the introducto- 
ry address with the emphasis upon the word thee, as 
follows, "We humble beseech thee' O Father' &c." 
Whereas, in the common mode of reading it, the im- 
portant change is passed over without notice, and this 
most solemn and interesting part of our service is de- 
prived of one of its distinguishing beauties. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 169 



CHAPTER III. 



PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS UPON SEVERAL 
OCCASIONS. 

Most gracious God' we humbly beseech thee' 
as for the People of these United States in 
! general' so especially for their Senate and Re- 
I presentatives' in Co ngress assembled" that thou 
! wouldest be pleased to dire ct' and prosper' all 
I their consultations' to the advancement of thy 
glory' the good of thy Chu rch' the safety' ho- 
nour' and welfare of thy people" that all things 
may be so ordered and settled by their endea- 
vours' upon the be st' and surest foundations" 
that peace and happiness' truth and justice' reli- 
gion and piety' may be established among us' 
for all generations'" These' and all o'ther ne- 
cessaries' for them' for uV and thy whole 
church' we hu mbly beg' in the name and me- 
diation of Jesus Christ' our most ble'ssed Lord 
and Saviour= 



FOR A SICK PERSON. 

O Father of mercies' and God of all com- 
fort' our only help in time of need" look down 



170 ON READING 

from heaven' we humbly beseech thee" behold' 
visit' and relieve thy sick servant for whom 
our prayers are desired'" Look upon him 
with the eyes of thy me rcy" comfort him with 
a sense of thy goo v dness" preserve him from 
the temptations of the enemy" give him pa- 
tience under his affliction" and' in thy good 
time' restore him to health' and enable him to 
lead the re sidue of his life' in thy fear and to 
thy glory" Or else' give him grace so to take 
thy visitation' that after this painful life ended' 
he may dwell with thee' in life everlasting' 
through Jesus Christ' our Lord'" 



FOR A PERSON GOING TO SEA. 

O Eternal God' who alone spreadest out 
the heavens' and rulest the raging of the sea" 
we commend to thy Almighty protection' thy 
servant! for whose preservation on the great 
deep our prayers are desired'" Guard him we 
beseech thee' from the da ngers of the sea" from 
sickness" from the violence of enemies' and 
from e'very evil to which he may be exposed'" 
Conduct him in safety to the haven where he 
would be' with a grateful sense of th y mercies' 
through Jesus Christ' our Lord" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 171 

FOR A PERSON UNDER AFFLICTION. 

Merciful God' and heavenly Father' who 
[ hast taught us' in thy holy Word' that thou dost 
i not willingly afflic't or grieve the children of 
j men" look with pity' we beseech thee' upon the 
| sorrows of thy servant for whom our prayers 
! are desired'" In thy wisdom' thou hast seen 
; fit to visit him with trouble' and to bring dis- 
I tress upon him'" Remember him O Lord' in 
| mercy' sanctify thy fatherly correction to him" 
endue his soul with patience under his afflic- 
tion' and with resignation to thy blessed will" 
comfort him with a sense of thy goo'dness" 
lift up thy countenance upon him' and give 
1 him peace through Jesus Christ' our Lord'" 



FOR MEETINGS OF CONVENTION. 

Almighty and everlasting God' who' by thy 
Holy Spirit' didst preside in the councils of the 
blessed Apostles' and hast promised' through 
thy Son' Jesus Christ' to be with thy Church' 
to the e nd of the world" we beseech thee' to 
be present with the council of thy Church' 
here assembled in thy name and presence'" 
Save them from all error' ignorance' pride' 



1 72 0N READING 

and prejudice' and of thy great mercy' vouch- 
safe' we beseech thee' so to direct' sanctify' 
and govern us in our present work' by the 
mighty power of the Holy Ghost' that the 
comfortable gospel of Christ' may be truly 
preac hed' truly received' and truly followed' in 
all places' to the breaking down the kingdom 
of sin' satan and death'' till' at length' the whole 
of thy dispersed sheep' being gathered into one 
fold' shall become partakers of everlasting life.' 
through the merits and death of Jesus Christ' 
our Saviour'" 

It has been deemed sufficient, under this head, to 
have selected and marked, those occasional prayers 
which are most frequently used. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 173 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE 
LORD'S SUPPER, OR HOLY COMMUNION. 



THE COLLECT. 

Almighty God' unto whom all hearts are 
open' all desires known' and from whom no 
secrets are hid" cleanse the thoughts of our 
hearts by the inspiration of thy holy spirit" that 
we may perfectly love thee' and wo v rthily 
magnify thy holy name' through Christ our 
Lord= 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

God spake these words' and said" I' am the 
Lord thy God" thou shalt have none other 
Gods but me'" 

Lord have mercy upon us' and incline our 
hearts to keep this law'" 

Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven 

image' nor the likeness of any thing that is in 

heaven above' or in the earth beneath' or in 

the waters u nder the earth' thou shalt not bow 

16 



I 



174 ON READING 

down to them' nor worship them" for V the 
Lord thy God' am a jealous God' and visit 
the sins of the fathers' upon the children unto 
the third and fourth generation' of them that 
hate me' and shew mercy unto thousands in 
them that love me' and keep my command- 
ments'" 
Lord, &c. 

A passage in this commandment Sheridan directs 
to be read, according indeed to the usual mode, both 
of reading and pointing it, — " visit the sins of the fa- 
thers' upon the children' unto the third and fourth ge- 
neration of them that hate me;" which mode of 
reading destroys the sense, by making a pause at 
" children," and none at " generation ;" for th's im- 
plies that the third and fourth generations, who suffer 
these judgments, are themselves such as hate the Lord, 
instead of being merely, as is meant to be expressed, 
the children of such ; "of them that hate me," is a 
genitive governed not by " generation," but by " chil- 
dren :" the reading given above, expresses the true 
sense of the threatening ; i. e. " I — visit the sins of 
the fathers, who hate me, upon the third and fourth 
generations of their descendants." 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain" for the Lord will not hold 
him guiltless' who taketh his name in vain'" 

Lord, <SfC. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 175 

Remember' that thou keep holy the Sabbath 
day" six days shalt thou labour' and do all 
that thou hast to do" but the seventh day' is 
the Sabbath of the Lord thy God'" In if thou 
shalt do no manner of work" thou' and thy 
son' and thy daughter" thy man-servant' and 
thy maid-servant" thy cattle' and the stranger 
that is within thy gates'" For in six days' the 
Lord made heaven and earth' the sea' and all 
that in them is" and re'sted the seventh day" 
wherefore the Lord ble ssed the seventh day' 
and hallowed it'" 

Lord, &c 

Honor thy Father and thy Mother' that thy 
days may be long' in the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee'" 

Lord, &c 

Our Author sanctions a very common error in the 
reading of this commandment, by adopting this faulty 
punctuation — " that thy days' may be long in the land' 
which the Lord thy God giveth thee :" the pause, as 
well as the emphasis, should be at " long," not at 
"land." No one would say in ordinary conversation, 

U I hope you will find enjoyment in the garden' 

which you have planted." " I think you will be com- 
fortable in the house' — which your father has given 
you." 



176 0N READING 

Thou shalt do no murder" 

Lord, &c. 

Thou shalt not commit adultery'" 

Lord, fyc. 

Thou shalt not steal'" 

Lord, &c 

Many Clergymen in reading the negative, or pro- 
hibitory commandments, are in the habit of accenting 
the word " not." And here it may be worth while 
to remark, that in some cases, the copula ought to 
be made the emphatic word ; (i. e. the " is," if the 
proposition be affirmative, the " not ," if negative,) viz. 
where the proposition may be considered as in oppo- 
sition to a contradictory one. If, for example, it had 
been a question, whether we ought to steal, or not, the 
commandment in answer to that, would have been 
rightly pronounced, " thou shalt not steal :" but, the 
question being, what things we are forbidden to do, 
the answer is, that " to steal" is one of them ; " thou 
shalt not steal." In such a case as this, the proposi- 
tion is considered as opposed, not to its contradictory, 
but to one with a different predicate: the question be- 
ing, not, which copula (negative or affirmative,) shall 
be employed, but what shall be affirmed, or denied of 
the subject : for example, "it is lawful to beg ; but 
not to steal :" in such a case, the predicate, not the 
copula, will be the emphatic word. 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 177 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
1 neighbour '" 

Lord, &c 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house" 
i thou shalt not coVet thy neighbour's wife" nor 

I his servant' nor his maid' nor his ox' nor his 

i 

ass' nor any thing that is his'" 

Lord have mercy upon us' and write all 
these thy laws in our hearts we beseech thee= 

It is remarkable that our Author should have omit- 
ted an emphasis on the word " covet," in the tenth 
commandment, which is so evidently the governing 
word. " I had not known lust, except the law had 
said, thou shalt not coVet." 

Another fault worth noticing, on account of its com- 
monness, is the placing of the emphasis on " neigh- 
bour" in the ninth and tenth commandments ; as if 
there might be some persons precluded from the bene- 
fit of the prohibitions. One would think that the man, 
to whom our Lord addressed the parable of the good 
Samaritan, had been used to this mode of delivery, by 
his asking, " and who is my neighbour V* 



THEN THE MINISTER MAY SAY, 

Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith. 
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all 
thy heart' and with all thy soul' and with all 
16* 



178 °N READING 

thy mind" This is the first and great com- 
mandment" And the second' is like unto it" 
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"' 
On these two commandments' hang all the law 
and the prophets'" 



LET US PRAY. 

O Almighty Lord and everlasting God 
vouchsafe' we beseech thee' to direct' sancti- 
fy' and govern' both our hearts and bodies' i 
the ways of thy laws' and in the works of thy 
commandments" that' through thy most mighty 
protection' both here and ever' we may be pre- 
served in body and soul' through our Lord 
and Saviour' Jesus Christ'" 



! 



; 



THE NICENE CREED. 



I believe in one God' the Father Almighty' 
maker of heaven and earth' and of all things 
visible and invisible" and in one Lord' Jesus 
Christ" the only begotten Son of God" begotten 
of his Father before all worlds" God of God" 
Light of light" very God of very God" begot 
ten' not made" being of one substance with 
the Father' by whom all things were made" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 179 

who' for us men' and for our salvation' came 
down from Heaven' and was incarnate by the 
Holy Ghost' of the Virgin Mary' and was made 
man" and was crucified also for us under Pon- 
tius Pilate" He suffered' and was buried' and 
the third day he rose again' according to the 
scriptures' and ascended into Heaven" and 
sitteth on the right hand of the Father'" And 
He shall come agaf n'with glory' to jVdge both 
the quick and the dead" whose kingdom shall 
have no end'" And 1 believe in the Holy 
Ghost' the Lord and giver of life" who pro- 
ceeded! from the Father and the Son" who' 
with the Father and the So v n together is wor- 
shipped' and glorified" who spake by the pro- 
phets'" And I believe one Ca tholic and Apos- 
tolic Church" I acknowledge one baptism for 
the remission of sins" and I look for the re- 
surrection of the dead' and the life of the world 
to co nae.'== 

There is a passage in the Creed, often faultily de- 
livered, in the following manner — { Go v d of Go v d, 
Light of light, ve'ry God of very God' — In which 
mode of expression — 'Go'd of Go N d' — according to 
the common acceptation, it would imply a superiority 
in him over God ; as, when we say, ' King of Kings;' 
but, by laying the stress on, { o/,' as c God o v f God' 



180 ON READING 

— the true meaning is pointed out, which is, c God 
proceeded fro m God, light frona light, very God fro'm 
very God.' Thus indicating the unity of the divine 
nature and essence, in connexion with the 'personal 
distinctions in the Godhead. 

I shall now proceed to the rest of the service for the 
Communion. 



THE OFFERTORY. 

c Let your light so shine before men' that 
they may see your good works' and glorify your 
Father which is in Heaven= 

Lay not up for yourselves' treasures upon 
ear th' where moth and rust doth corrupt' and 
where thieves break through' and steal" but 
lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven' 
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt' and 
where thieves do not break through nor 
steal= 

Whatsoever ye would that men should do 
unto you' even so do unto them" for this' is 
the law and the prophets= 

Not every one that sai'th unto me' Lord' 
Lord' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven" 
but he that doeth the will of my Father which 
is in heaven " 

Zaccheus stood forth' and said unto the 
Lord' Behold' Lord' the half of my goods I 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 181 

give to the poor" and if I have done any 
wro ng to any man I resto re four-fold'" 

Who goeth a warfare at any time at his 
own cost? Who planteth a vi neyard and eat- 
eth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a 
fiVck' and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 
If we have sown unto you spiritual things' 
is it a great matter if we shall reap your worFd- 
I ly things? 

Do ye not know' that they who minister 
! about holy things' live of the sacrifice'' and 
i they who wait at the altar' are parta kers with 
the altar? Even so' hath the Lord also ordain- 
ed' that they who preach the Gospel' should 
li Ve of the Gospel'" 

He that so weth little' shall rea p little" and 
he that soweth pie nteously' shall reap plente- 
ously" Let every man do according as he is 
| disposed in his heart' not grudgingly' or of ne- 
cessity" for God loveth a chee rful giver" 

Let him that is tau ght in the word' minister 
unto him that teacheth' in all good thiugs"' Be 
not deceived' God is not mocked" For what 
soe Ver a man so weth' that shall he reap" 

While we have time' let us do good unto all 
men" and especially unto them that are of the 
household of faith'" 



182 ON READING 

Godliness is great riches' if a man be coi 
tent with that he hath" For we brought no- 
thing into this world' neither may we carry 
any thing out"' 

Charge them who are rich in this world' 
that they be ready to give' and gla'd to distri- 
bute" laying up in store for themselves a good 
foundation against the time to come' that they 
may attain ete rnal life'" 

God is not unrighteous' that he will forget 
your works' and labour that proceedeth of 
loVe" which love ye have showed for his name's 
sake' who have ministered unto the saints' an< 
yet do minister'" 

To do goo'd and to distribute' forget not" 
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased"' 

Whoso hath this world's good' and seeth hi 
brother have need' and shutteth up his com' 
passion from him' how dwelleth the love of 
God in him? 

Give alms of thy goods' and never turn thy 
face from any poor man" and then' the face of 
the Lord shall not be turned away from thee'" 

Be merciful after thy power" if thou hast 
mu ch' give pie nteously" if thou hast little' do 
thy diligence gladly to give of that little" for 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 183 

so gatherest thou thyself a good reward' in the 
| day of necessity '= 

! He that hath pity upon the poor' lendeth un- 
; to the Lord" and look' what he layeth out' it 
i shall be paid him agai n=== 
I Ble ssed be the man that provideth for the 
i sick and needy" the Lord shall deliver him in 
! the time of trouble= 



PRAYER FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF CHRIST'S 
CHURCH MILITANT. 

Almighty and everliving God' who by thy 
holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers 
and supplications' and to give thanks for all 
men" we humbly beseech thee' most mercifully 
[to accept our alms and oblations and] to re- 
ceive these our prayers' which we offer unto 
thy divine Majesty" beseeching thee to inspire 
continually the universal church' with the spi- 
rit of truth' unity' and concord'" And grant 
that all those who do confers thy holy name' 
may agree in the truth of thy holy word' and 
live in unity' and godly love"' We beseech thee 
also' so to direct and dispose the hearts of all 
Christian Rulers' that they may truly' and im- 
par tially administer justice' to the pu nishment' 



184 ON READING 

of wickedness and vice" and to the mainte 
nance of thy true religion and virtue'" Give 
gra ce' O Heavenly Father' to all Bishops and 
other Ministers' that they may' both by their 
life' and do ctrine' set forth thy true and lively 
wor d' and rightly and duly administer thy holy 
sacraments"' And to all thy people' give thy 
heavenly grace" and especially to this congre- 
gation here present' that with meek heart' and 
due reverence' they may hear' and receive thy 
holy word' truly serving thee in holiness and 
righteousness all the days of their life"' And 
we most humbly beseech thee' of thy goodness' 
O Lord' to comfort and succour all those' 
who' in this transitory life' are in trouble' sor- 
row' need' sickness' or any other adversity'" 
And we also bless thy holy name' for all thy 
servants departed this life in thy faith and fear' 
beseeching thee to give us grace' so to follow 
their good examples' that wi th them' we may 
be partakers of thy Heavenly kingdom'" Grant 
this' O Father' for Jesus Christ's sake' our only 
mediator and advocate= 



THE EXHORTATION. 



Dearly beloved in the Lord" Ye who mind 
to come to the holy Communion of the Body 






THE CHURCH SERVICE. 185 

and Blood of our Saviour Christ" must consi- 
der' how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons' dili- 
gently to try and examine themselves' before 
they presume to eat of tha t bread' and drink 
of tha t cup" For' as the benefit is great' if 
with a true penitent heart' and lively faith' we 
receive that holy sacrament'' so is the danger 
great if we receive the same unworthily'" 
Judge' therefore' yourselves' Brethren' that 
ye be not judged of the Lord" repent ye 
truly for your sins past" have a lively and stead- 
fast faith in Christ our Saviour" amend your 
lives' and be in perfect cha rity with all men" 
so shall ye be meet partakers of those Holy 
Mysteries'" And above all things' ye must 
give most humble and hearty thanks' to God 
the Father' the Son' and the Holy Ghost' for 
the rede mption of the world' by the death and 
passion of our Saviour Christ' both God' and 
man" who did humble himself even unto the 
dearth upon the Crops' for us-miserable-sin- 
ners" who lay in darkness and the shadow of 
death' that he might make us the children of 
God' and exalt us to everla sting life"' And to 
the end that we should always remember' the 
exceeding great love of our Master and only 
Saviour' Jesus Christ' thu s dying for us" and 
17 



] 86 ON READING 

the innumerable benefits' which by his precious 
blood-shedding he hath obtained for us' He' 
hath instituted and ordained Holy Mysteries' 
as pledges of his love' and for a continual re- 
membrance of his death' to our great and end- 
less comfort" To Him' therefore' with the 
Father' and the Holy Ghost' let us give' (as we 
are most bounden') continual thanks" submit- 
ting ourselves wholly' to hi s holy will and plea- 
sure" and stu dying to serve him' in true holi- 
ness and righteousness' all the days of our 
life= 



THE INVITATION. 

Ye' who do truly' and ea rnestly repent you 
of your sins" and are in love and charity with 
your neighbours" and intend to lead a new life' 
following the commandments of God' and walk- 
ing from henceforth in his holy ways" draw 
near with faith' and take this holy sacrament 
to your comfort" and make your humble con- 
fession to Almighty God' devoutly kneeling 



A GENERAL CONFESSION. 

Almighty God' Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ' Maker' of all things' Judge' of all men" 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 187 

we acknowledge' and bewail our manifold 
sins and wickedness' which we from time to 
time most grievously have committed' by 
thought' word' and deed' against thy divine 
Majesty" provoking most jVstly thy wrath and 
indignation against us'" We do earnestly re- 
pent' and are heartily so rry for these our mis- 
doings'" The remembrance of them is griev- 
ous unto us" the burden of them is intolera- 
ble'" Have me rcy upon us' have mercy upon 
us' most merciful Father" for thy Son our Lord 
Jesus Christ's sake' forgi Ve us all that is past" 
and grant that we may ever hereafter serve 
and please thee in ne wness of life'' to the ho- 
nour and glory of thy name' through Jesus 
Christ our Lord= 



THEN THE PRIEST SHALL SAY, 

Almighty God' our heavenly Father' who' 
of his great mercy' hath promised forgiveness 
of sins' to all those who with hearty repent- 
ance' and true faith' turn unto him" have 
mercy upon you" pardon' and deliver you from 
all your si v ns" confirm and strengthen you in 
all goo'dness' and bring you to everlasting life" 
through Jesus Christ our Lord= 



188 ON READING 

THEN SHALL THE PRIEST SAY, 

Hear' what co'mfortable words' our Saviour 
Ch rist saith' unto all that truly turn to him'" 

Come unto me' all ye that travel' and are 
heavy laden' and I will refresh you'" 

So God loVed the world' that he gave his 
only begotten Son' to the end that all that be- 
lieve in him' should not pe'rish' but have ever- 
lasting lTfe= 

Hear also what Saint Paul saith" 

This' is a true saying' and wortny of all men 
to be received' that Christ Jesus came into the 
world to saVe sin x ners= 

Hear also what Saint John saith" 

If any man si n' we have an Advocate with 
the Father' Jesus Christ the righteous" and H£* 
is the propitiation for our sins= 

Lift up your hearts" 

We lift them up unto the Lord'" 

Let us give tha'nks unto our Lord God" 

It is meet and right so to do"' 

It is very meet' right' and our bounden du- 
ty' that we should at all times" and in all places' 
give tha'nks unto thee' O Lord' Holy Father' 
Almighty' everlasting God"' 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 189 

TRISAGION. 

Therefore with angels' and archangels' and 
with all the company of Heaven' we laud' and 
magnify thy glorious name' evermore praising' 
thee' and saying' Holy' holy' holy' Lord God 
of hosts" Heaven and Earth are full of thy 
glory'" Glory be to thee' O Lord mostHigh= 



THEN SHALL THE PRIEST SAY, 

We do not presume to come to this thy ta- 
ble' O merciful Lord' trusting in our own 
righteousness 7 but in thy manifold and great 
me rcies'" We are not worthy so much as to 
gather up the crumbs under thy table" but thou 
art the same Lord' whose property is' always 
to have mercy" Grant us' therefore' gracious 
Lord' so to eat the fle sh of thy dear Son Jesus 
Christ' and to drink his blood' that our sinful 
bodies' may be made clean by his body" and 
our souls washed through his most precious 
blood'' and that we' may evermore dwell in 
hi'm' and he' in u s= 
17* 



190 ON READING 

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION. 

All glory be to thee' Almighty God' our 
heavenly Father' for that thou of thy tender 
me rcy' didst give thine only Son' Jesus Christ' 
to suffer death upon the cro ss for our redemp- 
tion" who made there (by his one oblation of 
himself once offered) a full' perfect' and suf- 
ficient sacrifice' oblation' and satisfaction' for 
the sins of the whole world" and did institute' 
and' in his holy gospel' command us to con- 
tinue a perpetual memory of that his precious 
death and sacrifice' until his coming again'" 
For in the night in which he was betrayed' he 
took bread" and when he had given thanks' he 
brake it' and gave it to his disciples' saying' 
Take' eat' this is my Body' which is given for 
you" Do this' in remembrance of me'" Like- 
wise' after supper' he took the cup" and when 
he had given thanks' he gave it to them' say- 
ing' Drink ye all of this" for' this is my Blood' 
of the New Testament' which is shed for you' 
and for many' for the remission of sins" Do 
this' as oft as ye shall drink it' in remembrance 
of me" 

Wherefore' O Lard' and heavenly Father' 
according to the institution of thy dearly be- 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 191 

loved Son' our Saviour Jesus Christ' we' thy 
humble servants' do celebrate' and make here 
before thy divine Majesty' with these thy holy 
gifts' which we now offer unto thee' the memo- 
rial thy Son hath commanded us to make" 
having in remembrance his blessed pas'sion' 
and precious death' his mighty resurrection' 
and glorious ascension" rendering unto thee 
most hearty thanks' for the innumerable bene- 
fits procured unto us by the same'" And we 
most humbly beseech thee' merciful Father' 
to hear us" and' of thy Almighty goodness' 
vouchsafe to bless and sanctify' with thy Word 
and Holy Spirit' these thy gifts and creatures 
of bread and wine" that we' receiving them 
according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's 
holy institution' in remembrance of his Death 
and Passion' may be partakers of his most 
blessed Body and Blood" And we earnestly 
desire thy fatherly goodness' mercifully to 
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanks- 
giving" most humbly beseeching thee to grant' 
that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus 
Christ' and through faith in his blood' we' and 
all thy whole Church' may obtain remission 
of our sins' and all other benefits of his pas- 
sion'" And here' we offer and present unto 



1 92 ON READING 

thee' O Lord' ourselves' our souls and bodies' 
to be a reasonable' holy' and living sacrifice 
unto thee" humbly beseeching thee' that we' 
and all others who shall be partakers of this 
holy Communion' may worthily receive the 
most precious Body and Blood of thy Son 
Jesus Christ' be filled with thy grace and hea- 
venly benediction' and made one body with 
hi m" that he may dwell in them' and they in 
him" And although' we are un worthy' through 
our manifold sins' to offer unto thee an y sacri- 
fice" yet we beseech thee' to accept this' our 
bounden duty and service' not weighing our 
merits' but pardoning our offences" through 
Jesus Christ our Lord" b N y whom' and with 
whom' in the u mty of the Holy Ghost' all ho- 
nour and glory be unto thee' O Father Almigh- 
ty' world without end"' 



DELIVERING THE SYMBOLS. 

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ' which 
was giVen for thee' preserve th y body and soul 
unto everlasting life'" Take' and eat this' in 
remembrance that Christ died for thee' and 
feed on him in thy heart' by faith' with thanks- 
giving= 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 193 

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ' which 
was shed for thee' preserve thy body and soul 
unto everlasting life" Drink this' in remem- 
brance that Christ's blood was shed for thee' 
and be thankful= 



THE THANKSGIVING. 

Almighty and everliving God' we most 
heartily tha nk thee' for that thou dost vouch- 
safe to feed us who have duly received these 
holy Mysteries' with the spiritual food of the 
most precious Bo v dy and Blood of thy Son our 
Saviour Jesus Christ" and dost assure us 
thereby' of thy favour and goo'dness towards 
us" and that we are very members incorporate 
in the my'stical body of thy Son' which is the 
blessed company of all faithful people" and 
are also' heirs through hope' of thy everlasting 
kingdom' by the merits of the most precious 
death and passion of thy dear Son'" And we 
most humbly beseech thee' O heavenly Father' 
so to assist us with thy grace' that we may 
continue in that holy fellowship' and do all 
such good works as thou hast prepared for us 
to walk in' through Jesus Christ our Lord" 
to whom' with thee and the Holy Ghost' be all 
honour and glory' world without end" 



1 94 ON READING 

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS. 

Glory be to God on high" and on earth' 
peace' good will towards men'" We praise 
thee' we bless thee' we worship thee' we glo- 
rify thee' we give thanks to thee for thy great 
glory' Lord God" Heavenly King" God the 
Father' Almighty'" 

O Lord' the only begotten Son' Jesus 
Christ" Lord God' Lamb of God' Son 
of the Father' that takest away the si ns of the 
woiTd" have mercy upon us"' Thou' that 
takest away the sins of the world' have me rcy i 
upon us" Thou that takest away the si ns of 
the world' receive our prayer" Thou that 
sittest at the right hand of God the Father' | 
have me rcy upon us'" 

For' Thou only art holy" Thou only art the | 
Lord" Thou only' O Christ' with the Holy ; 
Ghost' art m5st high' in the glory of God the 
Father= I 



BENEDICTION. 



The peace of God' which pa sseth all under- 
standing' keep your hearts and minds in the 
knowledge and love of God' and of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord'" And the ble'ssing of 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 1 95 

I God Almighty' the Father the So v n' and the 
I Holy Ghost' be amongst you' and remain with 
i you always= 



THE COLLECTS. 

Assist us mercifully' O Lord' in these our 

I supplications and prayers" and dispose the way 

1 of thy servants towards the attainment of ever- 

! lasting salvation" that among all the changes 

and chances of this mortal life' they may ever 

be defended by thy most gracious and ready 

help' through Jesus Christ our Lord= 

Grant' we beseech thee' Almighty God' that 
the words which we have heard thi s day with 
our outward ears' may' through thy grace' be 
so grafted inwardly in our hearts' that they 
may bring forth in us' the fruit of goo'd living' 
to the honour and praise of thy name' through 
Jesus Christ our Lord= 

Direct us' O Lord' in all our doings' with 
thy most gracious favour' and further us with 
thy continual help' that in all our works' be- 
gu n' continued' and ended in thee' we may 
glorify thy holy name'' and finally' by thy mer- 
cy' obtain everlasting life' through Jesus Christ 
our Lord= 



196 ON READING 

Almighty God' the fountain of all wisdom' 
who knowest our necessities before we ask' 
and our ignorance in asking'' we beseech thee 
to have compassion upon our infirmities" and 
those things which' for our unworthiness' we 
dare not' and for our blindness' we cannot 
ask'' vouchsafe to give us' for the worthiness 
of thy Son' Jesus Christ our Lord= 

Almighty God' who hast promised to hear 
the petitions of those who ask in thy So n's 
name' we beseech thee' mercifully to incline 
thine ears to us' who have now made our prayers 
and supplications unto thee" and grant that 
those things which we have faithfully a sked' 
according to thy will' may effectually be ob- 
tained' to the relief of our necessity' and to the 
setting forth of thy glory" through Jesus Christ 
our Lord= 

I shall not enter into any particular remarks on this 
part of the service, as it would only be repeating ob- 
servations already made on similar passages : yet there 
is one part of it, where the bread and cup are distri- 
buted to the communicants, which I cannot pass over, 
and which is capable of great improvement, merely 
by the force of a different emphasis. It is usually thus 
delivered — c The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was given for thee, preserve thy bo'dy and 
soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remem- 



1 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 197 

brance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in 
thy heart, by faith with thanksgiving.' — Now as this 
is spoken in their turns to each communicant, the 
latter part would have much more force if the empha- 
sis were placed upon thee, as thus — c take and eat 
this' in remembrance that Christ died for thee' — as it 
would bring it more home to each individual. And I 
would reserve this emphasis for the latter place, rather 
than give it to the former, where it is said — ' The 
body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was gi Ven for 
thee, &c.' because there is something more affecting 
and emphatical in the last expression — ' who died for 
thee' — and two similar emphases in the two contigu- 
ous passages, would not have a good effect. There is 
another emphasis in the first part, which ought also to 
be changed from the usual manner of delivering it — 
{ The bo'dy of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy 
bo'dy and soul, &c.' Here the two emphases on the 
same word, body, have a bad effect; and, therefore, 
one of them should be changed, thus — c The bo'dy of 
our Lord Jesus Christ' preserve th y body and soul, 
&c.' But the emphasis on the word body, is to be 
restored in the second part, where the cup is adminis- 
tered, and only the blood of Christ mentioned ; as 
thus — ' The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ' which 
was she'd for thee' preserve thy bo'dy and soul unto 
everlasting life.' — But in this also, I would preserve 
the emphasis on the word, thee, in the latter part, thus 
— c Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was 
shed for thee' and be thankful.' 
18 



1 9S 0N READING 

Having now gone through those parts of the Church- 
service which are in most general use, I shall leave 
the remainder of the Liturgy to the particular investi- 
gation of each individual, by the help of those general 
lights which have been thrown out in the present work ; 
and which, if due attention be paid to them, will be 
found sufficient guides. I would recommend it to all 
who are desirous to make themselves masters of the 
other parts of the service, to follow the model here 
laid down for them. That is, to write out such parts 
as they wish to deliver properly, without any of the 
usual stops; and after having considered them well, 
to mark the pauses and emphases, by the new signs 
which have been annexed to them, according to the 
best of their judgment. But above all, I would have 
them particularly attentive to the pauses, in the obser- 
vation of which the generality of readers are chiefly 
defective; as the clearness of the meaning, and the 
solemnity of the service, so much depend upon them. 
The different degrees of length in the several pauses, 
must be left to every one's own judgment. To pro- 
ceed thus far, will be sufficient to such as are content- 
ed to discharge their office with due decorum, without 
aiming at any thing beyond it. But to such of the 
clergy as are men of true piety and devotion, and con- 
sequently desirous of exciting them in others, I would 
recommend it to go farther ; and as soon as they shall 
have made themselves masters of the right manner of 
reading, to deliver the whole from memory. For it is 
difficult, if not .impossible, while the eye is on the 
book, to have the fie^rt devoutly elevated ; and there- 



THE CHURCH SERVICE. 199 

fore, no earnest and fervent prayers can be produced, 
which alone can inspire the listening congregation 
with true devotion. I once prevailed upon a clergy- 
man, a man of real piety, to try this experiment ; and 
I it is incredible what effects were produced by it. I 
j have heard many of his auditors declare, among whom 
! were several respectable members of his own order, 
■ that they never knew what it was to have true devo- 
; tion excited, or to pray fervently in church, till they 
1 heard him deliver the service in that manner. I know 
\ that this will be attended with some difficulty at first, 
as they who have been always accustomed to keep 
their eyes fixed upon the book, may lose their presence 
of mind, when deprived of that aid, and not be able to 
repeat even what is perfectly rooted on the memory. 
Like persons accustomed to swim with the help of 
corks, who would immediately sink if they were de- 
prived of them. Nay, I have known some clergymen 
so exceedingly timid in that respect, that they never 
could venture even to deliver the Lord's prayer, be- 
fore the sermon, without having it written down. The 
way to get the better of such apprehension, will be to 
practise it first in private family duties; and when 
they find they can perform it there, without difficulty, 
they will be emboldened to do the same in public 
worship also. But for their farther security, they may 
turn over the leaves of the service, as they advance, 
so as always to have the passage before them, which 
they are reciting, to which they may have recourse, 
in case they should at any timefi|A^:iemselves at a 
loss. Every clergyman, u#<MtriaK : «l' find that this 



200 ON READING 

change of mode will not only produce excellent effects 
on the congregation, but will be the source of a per- 
petual fund of satisfaction to himself. For as nothing 
can be more irksome than the drudgery and weariness 
arising from going over continually one and the same 
settled service, in the usual cold and mechanical way ; 
so nothing can cause greater inward satisfaction, than 
praying from the heart ; as all must have felt, who pray 
earnestly in their private devotions. How much more 
pleasing must it be to a pastor, when he not only feels 
in himself the delight arising from a pure and rational 
devotion, but reflects that he is communicating sensa- 
tions of the same kind, to his flock ; and by so doing, 
takes the most effectual method to recover the strayed, 
and conduct the faithful in the right way. 



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